(1)The Scottish Ministers may pay grants to local authorities towards expenditure incurred by them in providing, or contributing to the provision of, prescribed housing support services.
(2)Grants under this section may be paid—
(a)to all local authorities,
(b)to particular local authorities, or
(c)to particular descriptions of local authority.
(3)A grant under subsection (1) is to be—
(a)of such amount, and
(b)subject to such terms and conditions,
as the Scottish Ministers think fit.
(4)The Scottish Ministers may by order make provision as to the terms and conditions on which local authorities may make payments out of sums, or descriptions of sum, received by them under subsection (1) (including conditions for repayment in specified circumstances).
(5)An order under subsection (4) has effect in relation to any sum subject to any terms and conditions imposed under subsection (3).
(6)The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to local authorities generally or to any description of local authority in relation to the matter mentioned in subsection (4).
(7)Before making an order under subsection (4), issuing guidance under subsection (6) or making regulations under subsection (8) or (9) the Scottish Ministers must consult—
(a)such bodies representing local authorities, and
(b)such other persons,
as they think fit.
(8)In this Act—
“housing support services” includes any service which provides support, assistance, advice or counselling to an individual with particular needs with a view to enabling that individual to occupy, or to continue to occupy, as the person’s sole or main residence, residential accommodation other than excepted accommodation,
“prescribed housing support services” means housing support services prescribed, or of a type prescribed, by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.
(9)For the purposes of subsection (8) “excepted accommodation” means accommodation, or accommodation of a type, specified as such in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.
Commencement Information
I1S. 91 wholly in force at 1.11.2001, see s. 113 and S.S.I. 2001/336, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. II (subject to transitional provisions in art. 3) (as amended by S.S.I. 2001/397, art. 7(b))