The Scottish government has outlined how it will try to end homelessness

The Scottish government has outlined how it will become a “world leader” in ending homelessness with a new action plan.

The End Homelessness Together Action Plan sets out measures for national and local government and the third sector to meet when providing frontline services.

This is an ambitious plan that firmly positions Scotland as a world-leader in ending homelessness

The report underlines the Scottish government’s commitment to Housing First, giving rough sleepers a stable and settled home alongside support for their needs.

There has been an investment of £23.5 million – drawn from the £50m Ending Homelessness Together Fund announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last year – to help those living in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness into new homes.

Also outlined in the plan is a focus on prevention, a person-centred approach to meeting individual need and joined-up planning.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell launched the plan while visiting Cyrenians’ distribution centre in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

“Everyone needs a safe, warm place to call home.  It’s more than a place to live it’s where we feel secure, have roots and a sense of belonging,” she said. “The causes of homelessness can be complex and that’s why all services need to be joined up. Working together we can end homelessness for good.”

The action plan comes after the Scottish government accepted all 70 of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group’s recommendations.

Jon Sparkes, Crisis chief executive, was a part of that group and he has pledged his support for the plan.

“This is an ambitious plan that firmly positions Scotland as a world-leader in ending homelessness,” he said. “The turnaround has been swift and the approach is bold but achievable if the commitment is shared across local government, housing associations and homelessness charities.

“It is a unique opportunity to get policies and services right for homeless people, but also to look beyond homelessness into the wider systemic issues of inequality and poverty to bring an end to the injustice of homelessness in Scotland once and for all.”