I honestly believe I would be better off in Africa.. my own country can’t look after me
surroundings, but it frightens me that homelessness is so prevalent in my own country.”
James puts another face to the astonishing homeless figures in Scotland.
And according to Heriot-Watt University, the numbers are set to get worse.
Their research says that rough sleeping will rise by 76 per cent in the next decade unless the Government take long-term action to tackle it.
There are currently 11,800 people across the country sleeping rough, living permanently in hostels or unsuitable temporary accommodation, sofa-surfing, sleeping in cars or staying in squats or refuges. By 2041, this could be as high as 18,100.
The Scottish Government have put aside £50million to spend over the next five years, but Sean Clerkin, campaign coordinator for the Scottish Tenants Association, says it’s not enough.
“I want £40million of the £50million earmarked for spending on rough sleeping next year,” he said. “It’s too little money over too long a period.” “That is what I have put forward in a petition to the Scottish Government. “In Finland, they have a housing first policy. “They get a roof over people’s head and then they can sort out other problems.
“The £40million should be spent on refurbishing empty homes and building new ones. It’s just shocking that it takes people to die for others to take notice of this scandal.”