Why homelessness plan could be a real game-changer
With the Government poised to publish its plan to tackle homelessness, Crisis and the Simon Community Scotland believe it will transform the issue. John Sparkes and Lorraine McGrath explain how the plan was put together and why it could be an opportunity
TO say that this is a momentous point in the journey to end homelessness in Scotland is not overstating it. It will cement Scotland’s position as a world leader in securing the human right to housing that every citizen should have.
In October 2017, Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, brought together a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group. We were both asked to participate, and the other members of the group came from charities working to support homeless people across Scotland as well as academics, legal experts and representatives from faith groups, housing providers and local government.
The task at hand was no mean feat, with four questions to focus on – the first being to tackle the immediate need to support more rough sleepers during the upcoming winter. The others looked to the longer term – how to end rough sleeping, how to transform the use of temporary accommodation, and finally how to end homelessness once and for all
We parked the needs and wants of our own organisations at the door and tackled the task with enthusiasm and co-operation. We were also given the space, and the support from civil servants, to put forward a bold set of proposals that will transform the homelessness system across the country.
Crucially, we never thought that 12 people round a table would have all the answers, so all our deliberations were informed by a comprehensive review of the evidence, commissioned research, and by listening to hundreds of frontline workers, policymakers and others who know what works. Most importantly, every decision made was informed by the people who understand the experience of being homeless the most, those who have lived it.
Overall, through the “Aye We Can” project, led by Glasgow Homelessness Network, we spoke with 425 people from across Scotland to hear what helped in ending their homelessness and what didn’t. Going forward it’s so important that the voice of people with experience of homelessness is used to test the new approaches and changes in the system to make sure they’re fit for purpose. .