Scottish government reveals details of multimillion-pound fund for homelessness prevention projects

This new funding was announced in May as part of Scotland’s Programme for Government for 2025-26, and builds on an existing Scottish government investment of £1m from the homelessness prevention fund.

Ms McAllan said: “We are determined to end homelessness – and the best way to do this is to prevent homelessness in the first place.

“This investment in prevention pilots will help us test and scale up innovative approaches to help people stay in their homes. By taking action to prevent homelessness and reduce demand on the homelessness system, we can help ease the housing emergency.”

During a visit to West Granton Housing Co-operative in Edinburgh, Ms McAllan found out more about its Get Settled project, which supports 400 households experiencing or facing homelessness across Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and Fife.

“Projects such as West Granton Housing Co-operative’s Get Settled demonstrates how targeted support can transform lives by not only helping people to find a home, but supporting them to settle into their communities,” she said.

Ms McAllan added: “By working with housing associations, registered social landlords and other third-sector partners, we are building the foundations for legislation in the forthcoming housing bill to help prevent homelessness.”

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said his organisation “is proud to be at the centre of such a landmark moment for homelessness prevention.

“The new ask-and-act provisions shift the focus from crisis intervention towards proactive prevention, which could save many people from enduring the trauma of homelessness.

“We look forward to working with organisations across sectors in Scotland to help people at risk of homelessness.”

Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy and communications at charity Crisis Scotland, said: “Far too many people in Scotland are being forced to experience the trauma and indignity of homelessness in circumstances where, with the right help, it could have been prevented.

“These new legal duties, requiring public services to ask people at risk of homelessness about their housing situation, [and] then act to offer support if needed, will help change that.

“But these plans are a world-first, and for the changes to be effective, it’s vital we test out how they will work in practice, before the new protections are rolled out across the country. By running a series of pilots on the new homelessness prevention duties, we can make sure those working in health, justice, education and beyond are fully prepared to play a greater role in ending homelessness in Scotland.”