Award of DLGH-Prevention of Homelessness Duties Pilot Research Case Reference 824285

The Scottish Government has a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the provision of Prevention of Homelessness Duties (Ask and Act) Mixed Methods Pilot Research.This mixed methods research project is intended to generate practical, implementation-focused learning to support the development and national rollout of the Ask and Act duties within the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.The primary purpose of this commission is to inform decision-making on:- how Ask and Act is most feasibly operationalised across different delivery contexts;- which elements of implementation appear robust and scalable, as opposed to fragile or overly complex; and- what Ask and Act is likely to require in practice in terms of organisational capacity, workforce, data and leadership, partnership working, and resources.The project is not an impact evaluation and is not intended to assess causal effects on homelessness outcomes. Rather, it is a learning and development exercise, focused on understanding how the duties can work well in practice, what helps or hinders effective implementation, and what this implies for statutory guidance, regulations, and implementation support.