CounCil plEDGEs 100 HomEs For rouGH slEEpErs

DUNDEE City Council has pledged to provide 100 homes for rough sleepers as part of a “game changing” social initiative.

The local authority will contribute to Social Bite’s 600 Homes Campaign, which aims to tackle Scotland’s homelessness problem. Over the next two years the programme, backed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, will aim to provide homes and support to 600 people in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Councillor Kevin Cordell, the city’s convener of neighbourhood services, said:“The council is pleased to be part of the 600 Homes campaign, which will help us to provide sustainable outcomes for vulnerable people in line with our Not Just a Roof housing options and homelessness plan.”

Social Bite has pledged £3 million to the initiative, most of which has been raised by Sleep in the Park, which saw more than 8,000 people sleeping out on one of the coldest nights of the year.

Social Bite will invest £1.5m into funding the support costs over the first 12 months and then it plans to invest a further £1.5m over the following 12 months, alongside other funders.

The first homes will be available this spring with about 33 properties being released each month up to September 2019.

The 600 Homes campaign follows a Housing First model, which gives people a secure home then puts in place a support structure to help them sustain their tenancy and reintegrate into society.