Charities’ homelessness appeal

Charities have called on the Scottish Government to institute a “triple lock” to help tackle rough sleeping.

Nineteen organisations – including Cyrenians, Turning Point Scotland, Shelter Scotland and Social Bite – have formed a collective called Everyone Home to deliver a plan to the Scottish Government.

Homeless Network chairman Paul Mckay said progress has been made to house those sleeping rough since the start of the coronavirus outbreak and this should be harnessed when it subsides.

The group suggested three approaches to help eliminate homelessness – ceasing evictions when the tenant has nowhere else to go, prioritising prevention work and working to prevent a return to prepandemic levels of rough sleeping.

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government created a new regulation to ensure homeless people are housed in high-quality accommodation.

In February, National Records of Scotland statistics showed 195 homeless people died in temporary accommodation or on the street in 2018, an increase of 19% from the previous year.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Thanks to a rapid and co-ordinated response, hundreds of people previously sleeping rough or in unsuitable B&BS or night shelters are now being supported in hotels or other self-contained accommodation. Outreach services are reporting that there are no more than 30 people sleeping rough across Scotland. This will continue in Scotland. However settled accommodation with the correct support measures continues to be the best way of solving homelessness in the longer term.”