Praise for council over housing crisis
Andrea O’Neill
Tory MSP Graham Simpson heaped praise on the local authority’s homelessness team who deal with the town’s housing crisis.
With austerity driving a shocking rise in homelessness and more than 400 households made homeless in East Kilbride and Strathaven in 2015/2016, the East Kilbride-based Conservative shadow housing minister described the situation as “stark” in our special report on the issue earlier this year.
The council admit that levels in East Kilbride remain constant and that they face an ongoing battle to give support to every one of those in need.
But, following a recent tour of homeless accommodation throughout the town, Mr Simpson said he was “hugely impressed” by the work being done by council staff.
He said: “I’m going to be part of an inquiry by MSPs into homelessness across Scotland and wanted to see firsthand what the situation is on my own doorstep.
“I was hugely impressed by the work being done by council staff in the town, where we are really up against it.
“There’s a waiting list of 3000 here Impressed and the council deals with nearly 500 homelessness applications in East Kilbride alone every year.
“A third of all homeless households in the town have children under 16, which is slightly higher than the South Lanarkshire average.”
The MSP visited First Stop supported accommodation in Pollock Lane and Lindsay House as well as the Pathways Project run by Y People for those with more complex needs.
He spoke to a number of residents, including single mum Sarah Bright who stays in Pollock Lane.
Mr Simpson said: “Sarah is a great example of someone who needs help for a wee while but is determined to get back on her feet again soon.
“She has worked in the past and is planning to launch a new business offering music therapy.
“She needs temporary accommodation right now – and the facilities at Pollock Lane are first class – and I am sure she will move on into her own place pretty soon.
“I also chatted to a teenage girl in Lindsay House who has a college place and I was impressed by her singleminded determination to get on.
“And I got the opportunity to meet the highly motivated staff in Lindsay House and at Pathways.”
Homeless charity Shelter Scotland says the average time homeless families with children spend in temporary accommodation across the country has risen by almost 20 per cent in the past two years.
Mr Simpson said: “We shouldn’t pigeonhole people.
“There is a stigma around the word homeless but anyone could end up in that situation.
“The key issue in East Kilbride is the lack of social rented housing and a low turnover.
“Last year there were 488 homelessness applications but there were only 389 total lets available. It means that some people in the town are asked to consider other areas for housing.
“Overall the service is working well, within a challenging set of circumstances.”