New changes introduced by the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020 mean that local authorities must not place any household experiencing homelessness in accommodation deemed unsuitable for more than seven days. Until now the requirement only applied to families with children and pregnant women. The Order includes exemptions permitting the use of Bed and Breakfasts and hotels during the pandemic.

The Regulator monitors, assesses and reports on social landlords’ performance, including how local authorities deliver homelessness services and how local authorities and RSLs work together to provide homes for people who need them.

Ian Brennan, director of regulation, said: “Local authorities are facing unprecedented challenges in delivering services to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. We appreciate the work they are doing with registered social landlords and third sector partners to protect and support some of the most vulnerable people at this time.

“It is important that local authorities provide temporary accommodation which meets peoples’ needs and is of an appropriate quality. We recognise the impact of the pandemic on the availability of temporary and permanent housing, and we will take account of that when we assess the performance of social landlords.”

SHR has postponed all but the most critical regulatory engagements to allow landlords and SHR to focus on the most serious existing risks or those that emerge from the pandemic. 

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