CAS welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on local connection and intentionality. In 2017/2018, CAB advised on 9,700 issues relating to homelessness. 2,189 of these issues were related to homeless assessments, processes and procedures, including the local connection and intentionality rules.
The Programme for Government announced by the First Minister on 5 September 2017 set out a new commitment to eradicate rough sleeping, transform the use of temporary accommodation in Scotland and end homelessness. The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) was subsequently established to initiate these transformational changes. HARSAG has since recommended that Scottish Government commence the Local Connection and Intentionality provisions in the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003. The HARSAG also recommended narrowing the definition of intentionality to focus on ‘deliberate manipulation’ of the homelessness system. The Scottish Government is currently consulting on these options and CAS has based its response to this consultation on CAB client evidence.