Partnership will ‘Ask and Act’ to reduce homelessness
East Ayrshire Council has successfully secured £0.184m from the Scottish Government’s Ask and Act Homeless Prevention Fund.
The funding will support a 12-month pilot project that will run in partnership with the EA Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, SeAscape, and Ayr Housing Aid Centre, and aims to prevent homelessness and reduce the need for families with children to enter temporary accommodation.
The project will ensure the statutory "Ask and Act" duties from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 will be included in Health Visiting practices within NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Early Years Children & Families Service, improving collaboration between health, housing, and third sector partners.
The pilot is part of the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) 2019–2026, which focuses on early intervention, reducing homelessness, and ensuring quick access to settled housing. RRTP was introduced in response to recommendations from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group in 2017. It was a national initiative to seek solutions to eradicate homelessness and rough sleeping and transform the use of temporary accommodation in Scotland.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities said: “I really welcome this funding from the Scottish Government that will help to embed good practice and will benefit some of our most vulnerable residents. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 introduces new duties for local authorities and registered social landlords. The act builds on existing Scottish frameworks like Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) and The Promise, reinforcing a national commitment to children's well-being and participation. Housing Services have ensured that the RRTP fully complies with the requirements of the UNCRC.
“They have also ensured that there is a particular focus on the prevention of homelessness through support for vulnerable households with diverse needs, care experienced young people, prison leavers and survivors of people experiencing domestic abuse.
“We have seen some real success throughout 2024/ 25 with the strengthening of Housing First leading to a 100% tenancy sustainment rate and with targeted work through I’M IN, East Ayrshire has seen a continued decrease in the number of children living in temporary accommodation, when at a national level the figure continues to rise.
“I know that our dedicated team from Housing Services are committed to helping support our children and young people and their families, and work to prevent homelessness wherever possible. This funding along with plans to develop Housing First for Families will make a real difference in our communities and support our most vulnerable.”