Scoping the role of the private rented sector in Rapid Rehousing Transition

“Crisis assisted us to carry out a fantastic piece of work that allowed us to develop our future use of the PRS. I would have no hesitation in recommending others to consider undertaking joint projects or contacting Crisis to brainstorm ideas or to discuss practice” Project Manager (Rapid Rehousing), Aberdeenshire Council

Dec 2018 - June 2022 | Housing-led transition

Challenge 

Social housing has long been the primary response to homelessness in Scotland. In recent years, 93% of homeless households ended their homelessness through a social tenancy, compared to just 7% in the private rented sector (PRS). Following the abolition of priority need in 2012, a declining social housing stock and lack of focus on stepping up access to the PRS; many Scottish local authorities struggle to house homeless households quickly and rely on temporary accommodation at greater scale and for longer periods. These were key drivers informing the need for, and the remit of, Scotland’s 2018 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG).  

The Group recommended all local authorities embark on a rapid rehousing transition, with greater use of the PRS a key element of this. Most authorities set plans to increase engagement with the tenure in their initial Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans (RRTPs) in 2018-19. But many had had no dedicated staff working on PRS access or prevention, and had little recent knowledge of their local affordable PRS market or the views of landlords. A number of local authorities approached Crisis for practical help and inspiration to ensure the PRS was a key part of their rapid rehousing transition.   

Solution 

Crisis has to date supported five Scottish local authorities. The first project kicked off as RRTPs were being developed for the first time, so was able to inform the original plan, and focused on a specific part of a local authority. The second project took place as a partnership between 3 authorities just as Scotland entered lockdown for the first time. The third project began in February 2022. Due to differences in time period, the nature of the local authority, their current PRS offer and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic (and impact on housing markets), each project has varied.

Key elements of support offered include: 

• desktop review of local PRS market (capturing street, postcode, size, rent, exclusions + source)  
• review of anonymised statutory homeless applicant data (including house size need, area preference + income type/amount) 
• PRS availability and affordability analysis (using above datasets, exploring to what extent PRS could provide affordable, suitable solution to homelessness need)  
• private landlord online survey (questions on portfolio, letting practices, attitudes to housing people who are homeless or claiming benefits, exclusions, impact of COVID-19, attitudes to working with the Council, incentives + interest in further engagement) 
• local authority + commissioned service staff survey (questions on knowledge, attitude, familiarity and confidence in promoting PRS as option for homeless households + training needs) 
• staff focus groups (exploring experiences of PRS locally, barriers, ideas and opinions) 
• stakeholder interviews (i.e. landlord registration team, commissioned housing support service, local CAB or other advice agencies, MMR providers)  
• sharing of practice and contacts with other UK PRS services 

Impact  

All authorities Crisis has completed work with have proceeded to design job roles for, and then appoint, dedicated staff members to take forward actions identified in surveys, analysis and wider engagement. This especially emerged from private landlord surveys, where a key finding in every area was the willingness of landlords to engage with Councils if they have a single point of contact and an offer of advice/support focused on their needs, as well as those of tenants.

Based on a changing environment following the pandemic and probable upcoming legislative changes in Scotland, PRS officers appointed generally have dual roles in prevention and access. The work by Crisis has also identified attitudinal/cultural barriers and wider training needs across staff groups, enabling local authorities to plan staff development activities and training.   

Further reading/ resources

An overview of Scotland's RRTPs, with practice examples and ideas to share from local authorities implementing a rapid rehousing approach (resource)

To find out more about how we can support your local area or organisation, please get in touch.