Homeless people should be allowed to stay in temporary accommodation on a permanent basis according to new plans for tackling homelessness.

The Scottish Government has accepted anew recommendations to improve temporary accommodation for homeless people.

The latest suggestions form the homelessness action group also include setting legal standards for the quality of accommodation and a time limit for people in housing that is unsuitable for their needs.

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In Glasgow there are around 2000 families a year in temporary accommodation in more than 1600 flats. The city council spent around £7m last year on temporary accommodation flats mostly from social landlords but some in the private sector.

The overall proposals are intended to reduce the need for temporary accommodation in the first place and ensure people at risk of homelessness have the right support.

It focuses on people who could become homeless and specifically those in rent arrears and women experiencing domestic violence.

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Jon Sparkes chair of the Action Group said: “Temporary accommodation should be a short-term response to each person’s homelessness before they quickly move into a permanent and secure place to call home.

Kevin Stewart, Housing Minister, announced he was accepting the total of 13 new recommendations of the action group on a visit to Queen’s Cross Housing Association in Glasgow.

He said: “These recommendations focus on ensuring the right support and standards are in place where it is needed and will play a vital role in meeting our commitment to end homelessness and transform temporary accommodation.”

Labour said that action to improve temporary accommodation has been needed.

Pauline McNeill, housing spokeswoman said: “The SNP government’s recent record on temporary accommodation is shameful and urgent action is desperately needed.

“Local authorities must be at the heart of preventing homelessness and transforming temporary accommodation and these recommendations recognise that.

“However, it is disgraceful for the government to accept many of these recommendations and agree to take them forward without acknowledging that our local authorities are starved of resources and need sufficient funding to be able to deliver them.”