Modification of unsuitable temporary accommodation rules in Scotland to allow placement of homeless families in hotels and bed and breakfasts

New statutory instrument extends and amends current temporary modifications to unsuitable temporary accommodation regulations introduced in response to coronavirus

New regulations have been issued in Scotland in relation to the use of hotels and bed and breakfasts as temporary accommodation for homeless households in response to coronavirus

In force from 30 September 2020, the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment (Coronavirus) Order 2020 (SSI.No.268/2020) temporarily modifies the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2014 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to allow for temporary accommodation to be provided for homeless households by way of accommodation within hotels and bed and breakfasts, which would otherwise be in breach of the 2014 Order. The modifications will expire on 31 January 2021.

NB - similar modifications, made by the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020 (SSI.No.139/2020), expire on 30 September 2020.

In addition, the Order introduces a new modification that allows for such accommodation to be provided where the local authority is unable to place the household in suitable accommodation as a result of the impacts of coronavirus on accommodation supply in the area, provided that where a household includes a child or a pregnant woman the household is not placed in unsuitable accommodation for more than seven days.

SSI.No.268/2020 is available from legislation.gov.uk