On target for the homeless

The historic 2012 homelessness commitment has been met by Midlothian Council, three months before the new legislation comes in to force.

The local authority, which is one of 15 in Scotland to have done so, has abolished priority need assessments, giving every unintentionally homeless person in Midlothian the legal right to a home.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, described the achievement as a “new beginning” for the council.

He added: “I congratulate the council on its continued focus on meeting its responsibilities to homeless people and in its early preparedness for the reforms.”