The Scottish Government is investing £100,000 in enhancing rent deposit schemes to help homeless people access and sustain private tenancies, the First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.

In an address at Aberdeen Cyrenian's 40th anniversary dinner last night, Alex Salmond said the funding will encourage the development of innovative schemes by voluntary sector partners, such as the Cyrenians.

Rent deposit schemes currently help 1,500 households in Scotland each year.

Salmond said: "The Scottish Government is committed to the 2012 homelessness target.

"We are currently reviewing private rented housing to identify ways in which the sector can respond more effectively to homeless peoples' needs, and consulting on ways that local authorities can re-house homeless people in private tenancies.


"We are also supporting the enhancement of rent deposit schemes, which have a track record in ensuring that homeless people can access and sustain private tenancies.

"To encourage the establishment of innovative schemes and partnerships across Scotland, we are making available £100,000 over two-years to voluntary sector organisations who wish to develop this work with landlords and local authorities."

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, last month announced that the Government was launching a Homeowners' Support Fund to deliver £25m of Government help for those at particular risk of repossession.

The Scottish Government is also developing national guidance on preventing homelessness more generally. A consultation on amending existing secondary legislation in order to allow greater use of the private rented sector for homeless households was launched on 23 June by the Minister for Communities and Sport.

(GK/JM)