Just papering over the cracks
Dear Editor Your article on homeless figures in your February 5 edition of Stirling Observer has prompted me to say “I told you so”.
The current programme of Rapid Rehousing Transition Programme and Housing First strategy operated through Stirling Council is clearly not working. This programme was instituted through the Scottish Government to “assist” councils to combat homelessness and the threat of homelessness.
The idea that councils would operate a plan to lessen the uses of temporary accommodation and “fast track” those on homeless waiting lists, as well as others, into main stream housing. As a five-year plan, the savings from temporary accommodation would assist in the financing of such a scheme. Scottish Government put forward £59m to kick start the programme. Councils across Scotland set out budgets of £182m for the scheme. Stirling Council’s budget for the scheme was £2.6m. Scottish Government awarded Stirling £101k.
I’ve stated to councillors and officials alike that this is a short-term fix to a long term problem and is only papering over the cracks. Stirling doesn’t have the adequate housing stock numbers to rehouse those that are registering homeless week by week.
I accept that we need to tackle homelessness, but its not just enough to rehouse victims. There are underlying problems that require specialist officers to deal with these issues. Housing officers in Stirling are excellent members of staff, and are working under tremendous pressures, but there are no specialist officers nor has there been specialist training in my view.
Stirling, and other authorities, need a properly funded and specialist programme to counteract the underlying issues that exist with those who are, or are potentially, homeless. It requires long term planning, including building of more single status homes. The current stock, including new homes coming on stream, cannot cope with demand.
Until that time, when we deal with the problem properly, the homeless count will only get worse.
Hugh McClung MBE Tenant Dear Editor Re: Observer Letters (February 5) - it is a bit rich of Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart to lambast the achievements of the SNP government at Holyrood when the Conservative government at Westminster’s austerity policies and welfare cuts have caused so much suffering to so many vulnerable people.
Mr Lockhart criticises the SNP’s record on health, ignoring the fact that health spending in Scotland is £185 per person higher than in England, that Scotland’s
A&E services are the best performing in the UK, and that prescriptions are free in Scotland while patients in England have to pay £9 per item.
Mr Lockhart complains about the SNP’s record on education but record amounts are being invested in schools to close the attainment gap, Scottish students are not charged university tuition fees and full time college students in Scotland benefit from the highest bursary of anywhere in the UK.
And Mr Lockhart ignores the fact that under the SNP, productivity in Scotland is out performing the UK as a whole, Scottish international exports are up and Scotland has the most generous rates relief package in the UK.
I would remind Mr Lockhart that at the General Election two months ago, the SNP won 48 out of Scotland’s 59 seats, including Stirling, which suggests that the voters appreciate that under difficult circumstances, and with limited powers, the SNP is delivering for Scotland.
Ruth Marr Grampian Road Stirling