Central and local government remain committed to the ambition of eradicating unintentional homelessness by 2012, it was confirmed today. 

As two homelessness reports were released today, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said that nobody should be homeless in a modern and prosperous Scotland.

In a joint statement, Maxwell and COSLA spokesperson for community wellbeing Harry McGuigan welcomed the publication of the reports from the Homelessness Monitoring Group and the 2012 Homelessness Support Project.

"We welcome these reports, which track progress towards the 2012 homelessness target to abolish priority need, giving all unintentionally homeless people the right to settled accommodation.

"The target is ambitious. The reports indicate areas of good progress but reveal we still have a way to travel, with some local authorities facing significant challenges.

"However, we remain committed to 2012 and to working together in partnership to prevent homelessness where possible and to ensure that delivery is managed and sustainable.

"We have been impressed by the level of commitment from those who participated in the projects, and the commitment from the people in our communities who provide homelessness services." 

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