FOI Request - LGBT Homelessness

Request 101002617358

1. A) Does your council routinely ask your homeless service users about their sexuality as part of monitoring?
1. B) Does your council routinely ask your homeless service users about their gender identity as part of monitoring?

2. A) Does your council require ‘proof’ to show that people have been asked to leave home by their family members?
2. B) Would you contact the family members of LGBT people who have been asked to leave their homes, for further proof?

3. Have your housing officers received specialist LGBT homelessness training?

4. Does your council offer an emergency homeless shelter/service for LGBT people?

5. How much money did your council spend on LGBT related merchandise for Pride events, or LGBT diversity celebrations, in the financial year 2019-2020 (e.g. Rainbow flags for Pride 2019)?

Response 12.11.20

1. A) Does your council routinely ask your homeless service users about their sexuality as part of monitoring?

Yes.  This is not gathered through our homeless application form or the Scottish Government HL1 Return.  However, homeless applicants also complete a housing application which would ask for information on sexual orientation.
 

1. B) Does your council routinely ask your homeless service users about their gender identity as part of monitoring?

Yes.  This is not gathered through our homeless application form or the Scottish Government HL1 Return.  However, homeless applicants also complete a housing application which would ask for information on gender identity.
 

2. A) Does your council require 'proof' to show that people have been asked to leave home by their family members?

Officers will make reasonable investigations into applicants’ circumstances. This would regularly involve contacting applicants family members who have asked them to leave.

2. B) Would you contact the family members of LGBT people who have been asked to leave their homes, for further proof?

Officers will make reasonable investigations into all applicants circumstances regardless of their sexual orientation. This would regularly involve contacting applicants family members who have asked them to leave. They would not, however, do this if applicants are leaving their last settled accommodation due to fleeing abusive situations.

3. Have your housing officers received specialist LGBT homelessness training?

No.

4. Does your council offer an emergency homeless shelter/service for LGBT people?

Yes. The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, Part II (Homeless Persons) as amended by the Homelessness etc. Act (2003) places a statutory duty on local authorities to provide emergency/temporary homeless accommodation if required, regardless of sexual orientation.

5. How much money did your council spend on LGBT related merchandise for Pride events, or LGBT diversity celebrations, in the financial year 2019-2020 (e.g. Rainbow flags for Pride 2019)?

Nil.

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