PROPOSAL TO END HOMELESSNESS
Charity boss lays out what Government agencies must do to end homelessness
THE scandal of rough sleeping and homelessness could be ended in a decade – and boost the economy, a comprehensive report claims today.
The expert view comes after an eight-month consultation and extensive research with academics and front-line support workers across Britain.
New policies and a radical approach would cost £615million and deliver benefits worth £1.7billion in Scotland.
Homelessness charity Crisis, who compiled the first-of-its-kind report, will launch the findings in Edinburgh today.
Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes is already advising the Scottish Government how to tackle specific problems of homelessness, particularly unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Many of his recommendations for rapid rehousing are already becoming SNP policy.
Sparks said: “For the first time, we have a comprehensive plan that shows exactly how we can address the root causes of homelessness and make it a thing of the past.
“We must not become a society that simply accepts homelessness as ‘a sad fact of life’, because the good news is that we know it doesn’t have to be this way.
“It’s been inspiring to see the recent surge in public support and political will to tackle homelessness, including strong commitments from all three governments.
“Now is the time to build on those commitments. With the right measures in place, we can do what it takes to end homelessness and make sure that no one in Britain has to face it again.”
The report calls for 100,500 social homes each year for the next 15 years to meet needs of homeless people and those on low incomes. Of these, 5500 will be needed in Scotland each year.
A “housing first” strategy, which aims to reduce the need for temporary housing, would be rolled out UK-wide.
Scotland’s problem with over-use of temporary housing stems from the end of “priority need” in 2012. It reduced rough sleeping but had a knock-on impact with more people in unsuitable homes for longer.
Crisis said there are 236,000 people across Scotland, England and Wales who are homeless.
This includes people living on the street, in cars and tents, or in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Ending homelessness will also require hospitals, prisons, the care system, and other parts of the state to play a role, the research claims.