Edinburgh Launches New Homelessness-Prevention Pilot

A major new initiative aimed at preventing people from becoming homeless has been approved for Edinburgh, after the City of Edinburgh Council and local partners secured funding from the Scottish Government.

The pilot — called the System Wide Approach to Prevention (SWAP) – “Ask and Act” — will run in Wester Hailes and focus on stepping in much earlier to help people at risk of losing their home. The idea is simple but powerful: ask about someone’s housing situation, act quickly, and offer coordinated support before they reach crisis point.

The scheme is directly linked to the newly passed Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, which places a legal duty on public bodies to spot early warning signs and take action to prevent homelessness.

Across Scotland, 15 projects are sharing £4 million from the Homelessness Prevention Pilot Fund, managed by Advice Direct Scotland. Edinburgh has secured just over £600,000 of this pot — a strong endorsement of the city’s proposal.

A new multi-agency team will now be created, bringing together staff from the Council, NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, Prospect Community Housing, Social Security Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service and Crisis.

These partners will embed the “Ask and Act” approach into everyday services across Wester Hailes, giving residents a single point of contact for fast, joined-up support.

The aim is to identify issues early — whether financial pressure, health concerns, or instability at home — and offer practical help that keeps people in their accommodation.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, welcomed the news, saying the funding will boost efforts to tackle Edinburgh’s ongoing housing emergency.

He noted that the city’s prevention services supported 2,622 households last year as part of its Local Housing Strategy.

Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said the Scottish Government is determined to end homelessness by preventing it: “This investment will help us test and scale up innovative approaches to help people stay in their homes.”

Further details on rollout, neighbourhood engagement, and support options are expected in the coming weeks.

📄 More info here: edinburgh.gov.uk
📍 City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market St, Edinburgh EH8 8BG