PKC hailed for work to cut homeless rate

‘Streets ahead of other local authorities’

Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) is leading the way in tackling homelessness.

Latest figures published this week reveal the number of residents living in temporary accommodation had decreased by 24 per cent - the most substantial drop in Scotland.

One Perth City Centre councillor said PKC was “streets if not miles ahead of other local authorities in Scotland.”

The figures published by the Scottish Government showed Perth and Kinross had the biggest decrease in homelessness presentations, dropping from 1025 for April to September 2018 to 780 for April to September 2019.

The number of Perth and Kinross households living in temporary accommodation dropped by 81 households from September 2018 to 2019.

Perth and Kinross Council has the fourth lowest length of stay in temporary accommodation out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

The figures were discussed at a meeting of PKC’s housing and communities committee on Wednesday.

Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Tom McEwan said the phone would be “ringing off the hook” with other local authorities wanting to see what is best practice.

Cllr David Illingworth said: “It remains one of the greatest jewels in the Perth and Kinross Council crown.”

Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett added: “It’s great that it gets the recognition it deserves. It’s a huge success story and looks set to continue.

“We are streets if not miles ahead of other local authorities in Scotland.

“It’s not going to be easy for the future. The level of subsidy from the Scottish

Government needs to be maintained.”

Convener Cllr Bob Brawn said at a recent COSLA meeting he attended PKC was held up as an example for its work tackling homelessness.

After the meeting, he said: “This new Scottish Government report highlights that Perth and Kinross Council achieved the biggest reduction in homelessness presentations for the period April to September 2019, and also the biggest reduction in households in temporary accommodation.

“We have also significantly reduced the time people spend in temporary accommodation and the length of time that homelessness cases take to complete.

“This shows that we are a sectorleading local authority in the services we provide for homeless people and people who are at threat of becoming homeless.

“These tremendous results are thanks to our nationally-recognised ‘Home First’ approach, which has had a transformational effect for people unfortunate enough to find themselves homeless in Perth and Kinross.

“Home First assists homeless people to move quickly and directly into settled housing, avoiding the need for temporary accommodation. It is about minimising the impact of homelessness for individuals and families where homelessness cannot be prevented.

“This report’s findings are fantastic news for the housing service, its staff and our service users. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all members of staff for their continued hard work, commitment and dedication.

“We are determined to build on this success and improve even further.”