Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MSP’s thumbs-up for hostel team
Shadow housing minister’s visit
The organisation which will oversee the day- to- day running of a new hostel near Coatbridge town centre has been given the seal of approval by Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson.
Simon Community Scotland, who work to “combat the causes and effects of homelessness”, will monitor the threes t o r e y “su p p o r t e d accommodation” facility on Bank Street on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council.
The proposals for the facility were unanimously approved at a planning sub- committee meeting and Clyde Valley Housing Association is now set to construct the “hostel building comprising nine bedrooms and ancillary accommodation”.
Objections raised against the project ahead of the council meeting touched on criminals, drug users and sex offenders potentially being housed at the hostel; the site’s close proximity to St Augustine’s Primary School, the Time Capsule and Summerlee Museum; and anti-social behaviour and its impact on house prices in the area.
Some local residents rema i n concerned about the prospect of the supported accommodation, but Mr Simpson, the Conservative shadow housing minister, has backed the Simon Community team’s work across Lanarkshire.
The MSP said: “I’m part of an inquiry into homelessness across Scotland and arranged to see North Lanarkshire’s approach.
“I spoke to Gary Reid, who manages one of Nor th Lana r k s h i re Council’s temporary accommodation units.
“He explained that, on average, 34 people are living there at any one time, including repeat homeless applicants, and is trying a variety of initiatives to help those that come through his door to break the cycle of repeat homelessness.
“Gary explained that he has hosted several fish supper nights so that the residents can interact and relax with each other, which he believes is vitally important in helping them move on to the next stage of being rehomed.
“I think this is an excellent initiative as most people with chronic homelessness struggle with interaction and anything that can assist this is worth trying and, with Gary’s enthusiasm, I’m sure it will be a success.”
Mr Simpson was also shown round a unit run by the Simon Community by operations manager Margaret Graham, who outlined that it offers a more intense level of support to help people move towards independent living.
Mr Simpson added: “The unit offers 24/7 support and caters for no more than a few people at any one time.
“There is no age limit – the unit at present is helping young people through to one resident who is in his 70s, which shows that homelessness can affect you at any time in your life.
“The idea behind the project is to assist residents who need help with even the most basic of tasks from cooking to managing their household budget that most people take for granted.
“This level of intense help is designed to assist those that are struggling to cope and hopefully by the time they leave the Simon Community unit they will be in a more stable position to maintain and manage their own property.
“While I was being shown round the unit’s garden, I spoke to one man who praised the work done by both council staff and the Simon Community.
“He said the help and support he is getting is making a real difference to his life.
“That ’ s the sort of endorsement that shows these innovative partnerships are producing results.”