A social Impact report conducted by HACT has highlighted the significant social value demonstrated through the 11 Homelessness Prevention Fund projects funded by the Scottish Government in partnership with SFHA. The fund was for a three year period and aimed to support projects that:
- Contributed to reducing child poverty
- Contributed to preventing homelessness
- Supported the delivery of recommendations made to Scottish ministers by the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group
The HACT assessment, conducted by its Head of Social Value Michael McLaughlin, showed how £31,585,108 of of social value was created from the activities across all eleven projects and including match funding, created a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of almost 1:15.
Significantly, this c.£31.6 million, includes c.£4.9 million in secondary social value, in terms of wider financial savings to the state, showing as well as increased and targeted funding for Homelessness Prevention having a real impact on person centred social outcomes, it is a practical investment for the Scottish Government.
The wellbeing increases and performance figures that show engagement; improvements in ability to maintain tenancies, developing a sense of belonging, has real value to individuals. However, the additional value created through the exchequer savings that show longer term average savings based on the c.£1.4m spend from Scottish Government, of over £2 for every pound invested, makes a fundamental business case for homeless prevention activities.
The full report is here
For more information on the Homelessness Prevention Projects contact Eileen McMullan, emcmullan@sfha.co.uk. For information on the social value tool, contact Michael McLaughlin, michael.mclaughlin@hact.org.uk or visit the website Driving Value in Social Housing | HACT
