Homelessness could affect any one of us

Not enough being done to eradicate poverty

This month both Celtic and Rangers FC Foundations held “sleep outs” where hundreds of people slept next to the pitches at Celtic Park and Ibrox Park to raise awareness and funds for those suffering from homelessness.

With winter approaching, many desperately need our help and I applaud the efforts of those giving their free time to create a more equal society.

Homelessness is one of Scotland’s most enduring problems. As an MSP in the area for 17 years, I have seen improvements made but also important lessons forgotten.

Recently Shelter Scotland launched their new homelessness prevention campaign, ‘Homelessness: Far From Fixed’.

This campaign shows how homelessness is not simply a matter of rough sleeping, but a complex problem that includes a great number of people sleeping on friends’ floors, threatened with eviction or facing homelessness due to mortgage arrears.

Homelessness can also affect mental health, particularly in children, and be a cause and consequence of addictions.

The health and wellbeing of local people must be a primary objective for all politicians, both local and national.

Given the SNP Government’s decision to allow the downgrading of Monklands Hospital, by removing orthopaedics and trauma, it is reasonable to question whether that concern is at the forefront of their thinking or whether we now have a philosophy of cuts first, questions later.

I’m increasingly concerned that we’re not doing enough to prevent those living in poverty, of which a great many are the working poor, dropping off the radar.

The number of food banks opened across the area is, frankly, frightening and makes me question the priorities of some politicians who have the power to help, yet choose not to.

I again recently visited the Coatbridge Foodbank with two keen work experience pupils from St Andrew’s High School.

There were shelves and shelves of tinned and dried foods being diligently organised by a team of volunteers having been donated by generous locals. But it’s still not enough.

We must act decisively to eradicate poverty and fund services. Temporary accommodation and food banks are not enough.

It is good news, therefore, that our Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council have started to build a further 1000 new council homes to help tackle the growing housing problem.

This is massive investment and I’m pleased that, as a result, a new generation of families will be able to live in safe, warm and accessible homes.

For many people spending night after night in precarious circumstances, this could provide the stability they need to get back on track.

Having been a homelessness officer myself, and met constituents in that position, I know any of us could find ourselves homeless at some point in our lives.

Given recent figures showing Airdrie and Coatbridge children are among the poorest in Lanarkshire, government cuts must stop, whether they are from the Tories or the SNP.

We must once again invest in our communities, tackle the scourge of homelessness and fight poverty and ill-health.

That means fair, progressive taxation and using our new powers decisively.