Gift of homes

In December Scottish ministers were displaying their compassion and concern for the homeless by sleeping out for one night. In April the Scottish Government announces that it will be spending another £100 million to extend the Help to Buy a scheme for a further two years (Scotsman, 5 April). This scheme has been criticised for helping many on well above average earnings. There is also a real concern that such schemes contribute to rising house prices .

If the SNP Government seriously wanted to help those who are stuck for long periods in temporary accommodation they should be spending this money to provide more homes with social rent levels.

The subsidy to build one of these new housing association or council homes is between £60,000 and £70,000 per home. £100m could provide at least 1500 new homes.

Recent research on homelessness by Heriot-watt University recommended that the main action needed in Edinburgh in particular was providing more homes for social rent.

The problem isn’t that homeless applicants aren’t being offered permanent homes, it’s that there just aren’t the homes to offer.

So instead of sleeping out next Christmas, the best Christmas gift ministers can give the homeless would be more homes.

SHEILA GILMORE

St Catherine’s Place, Edinburgh