Digs for the homeless
Homeless people are moving into student accommodation in Hamilton following a new agreement between South Lanarkshire Council and the University of the West of Scotland.
As part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic, the council have leased 50 units from the university’s Barrack Street accommodation to house people in need during the crisis.
A partnership has also been drawn up with the Salvation Army to manage housing support services for the units occupied by the council.
The charity have also submitted a bid of £100,000 to the Scottish Government’s third sector fund for this purpose while additional funding is being sourced.
UWS’S student accommodation at Barrack Street is due to be replaced in September by a new facility at Caird Street which means the council will be able to house homeless people there for an initial six month period.
Executive director of housing, Daniel Lowe, said: “The development of new student residencies for UWS Hamilton campus presented an opportunity to use the former student accommodation at Barrack Street, Hamilton, to address the recent increased pressure upon the Homelessness Service for short term accommodation.
“Having worked closely with UWS and the Salvation Army, the council is able to confirm that the new facility is now up and running.”
UWS will continue to be responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the building with the rental cost of the 50 units set at £4250 per week – £85 per unit – including utilities.
With the added pressures of the pandemic, the council have been looking for solutions to ensure they meet their statutory duty to provide suitable temporary accommodation to homeless households.
Other action to support homeless accommodation has included fixing up empty council properties, leasing additional accommodation from housing associations and the private sector as well as using hotel accommodation.