Why we are engaging with Inverclyde Council (Inverclyde)
We are engaging Inverclyde about its services for people who are homeless and its proposals to transfer a small number of homes.
During 2022/23 we reviewed and compared the data for all local authorities from the Scottish Government’s national homelessness statistics and the Annual Returns on the Charter. We also spoke to all local authorities to gather further information and assurance about their homelessness services. To assess the risks to people who are threatened with or experiencing homelessness we will engage with all local authorities during 2023/24 with a focus on the provision of appropriate temporary accommodation.
We will engage with Inverclyde in particular about the following areas:
- Inverclyde’s assessment of homelessness applications; and
- outcomes for people who are homeless.
Inverclyde has told us that it owns around 12 tenanted homes. It is currently in the process of transferring the majority of these homes to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association in consultation with tenants.
What Inverclyde must
Inverclyde must:
- provide us with the information we require in relation to its homelessness service;
- make us aware of any emerging issues preventing it from fulfilling its statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation when it should and comply with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order; and
- keep us updated on its plans to transfer its tenanted homes and ensure that it meets all of its statutory obligations to its tenants including on consultation about the transfer of homes and on the Scottish Social Housing Charter.
What we will do
We will:
- review the information Inverclyde provides about its homelessness service;
- meet with Inverclyde to discuss its homelessness service and decide whether we require any additional assurance;
- meet with Inverclyde to seek assurance if it does not provide temporary accommodation when it should, or if it breaches the Unsuitable Accommodation Order;
- meet with Inverclyde to discuss progress in transferring the majority of its homes; and
- update our published engagement plan in the light of any material change to our planned engagement with Inverclyde.
Regulatory returns
Inverclyde must provide us with the following annual regulatory returns:
- Annual Assurance Statement; and
- Annual Return on the Charter.
It should also notify us of any material changes to its Annual Assurance Statement, and any tenant and resident safety matter which has been reported to or is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive or reports from regulatory or statutory authorities or insurance providers, relating to safety concerns.