Regulator highlights prevention of homelessness partnership work as 'positive practice'

The Scottish Housing Regulator has today published its inspection report on Glasgow City Council's homelessness services. The council scored a 'fair' C grade out a possible A to D grading system, with the regulator identifying some very positive examples of good practice, as well as a number of weaknesses in the council's homelessness services.

Govan Law Centre was delighted to note the regulator highlighted the work of our 'section 11' prevention of homelessness partnership work in the South West of the City. Our innovative partnership brings together a range of legal, money advice and social care services to provide a tailor made support package for clients threatened with homelessness. Extracts from the report are included below.

"4.31 The Council has funded an excellent three year section 11 pilot in the south west of the city. This is a partnership between the South West CHCP, Govan Law Centre and Govan Money Matters. RSLs, mortgage lenders and private landlords send notifications to the Council which provided welfare rights advice and made referrals for housing support, legal representation and money advice. The partners have worked together to stop repossession proceedings and evictions against more than 1,300 households. In other areas of the city there are a range of different arrangements in place".

"Appendix 2 -Section 11 of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003
The Council funded a three year pilot in the south west of the city to prepare for the introduction of Section 11 of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003. The South West CHCP, Govan Law Centre and Govan Money Matters Money Advice Centre developed the pilot project in partnership. The Council seconded a member of its staff to be the project co-ordinator. All 18 RSLs in the south west area, five mortgage lenders and a number of local private landlords participated in the pilot. They notified the co-ordinator and CHCP social work team of households in arrears when they were taking legal action against them. The co-ordinator or social work welfare rights officers then assessed the household’s needs and referred them on for advice and support. This ensured that tenants or owner occupiers had good access to quality legal representation and money and welfare rights advice".

The full Inspection Report for Glasgow City Council is available on the Scottish Housing Regulator's website.

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