Local authorities will have to provide suitable housing

The Homelessness Bill will give everyone the right to a home by 2012.

Local authorities will have a duty to house all those who apply for accommodation and to give them the back-up services they need to lead a settled life.

Social Justice Minister Margaret Curran described the vote to approve the bill as "an historic day for housing".

It is one of the main objectives of the Scottish Executive's social justice agenda.

Suitable housing

There are currently 46,000 applications for council housing from people who have been left homeless because of family disputes, harassment or because they are coming out of a hostel or prison.

At present those in priority need get help, but by 2012 councils will be expected to provide suitable housing for everyone.

The only exception in the new legislation will be those who are deemed to have made themselves intentionally homeless.

The social justice minister said the bill would put Scotland "at the frontline" among European nations in reducing homelessness.

Margaret Curran said it was "an historic day"

She said: "The three hurdles over which applicants had to jump have all been changed - priority need is extended with a commitment that it should be phased out over the next decade."

There is all-party support for the bill, which has also been welcomed by the housing charity Shelter.

It said it would put Scotland ahead of any other country in Europe in dealing with the homeless and would lever in the support services which will address the underlying causes of homelessness.

'Put families first'

Before voting to pass the bill, MSPs also backed an amendment ensuring homeless families would only be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation as a last resort.

The amendment from Labour backbencher Karen Whitfield replaced an earlier one which banned the use of B&Bs for families with children.

Ms Whitfield said: "Without this amendment we will not give local authorities the flexibility they need and we won't put the interests of families and children first."

Scottish National Party social justice spokesman Kenny Gibson said Nationalists opposed the amendment.