Around 275 permanent housing association and council homes are to be provided to homeless people living in Edinburgh. This is in addition to over a thousand social lets already provided to homeless people each year.
Reducing homelessness remains a key priority for social landlords across the city and these additional properties are clear evidence of this continued support, the city council says.
The extra properties are being provided through the EdIndex Partnership, which is made up of representatives from the City of Edinburgh Council and 19 partner registered social landlords. The homes will be provided in the 18-month period from April 2018 to September 2019.
If required, a range of supports including the Housing First model will be piloted in partnership with third sector providers and Social Bite to assist tenants to remain in their homes.
Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “Last month, we announced the creation of a cross party homelessness task force to address the unprecedented pressures facing our services, with demand for both permanent and temporary accommodation exceeding supply.
“Today’s announcement of an additional 275 permanent homes is a valuable addition to the work already being done with our partners across the city offering an extensive range of services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, from support and advice on housing options, to assessment services and permanent and temporary accommodation.
“Homelessness prevention is obviously a key priority and along with the Council, housing association landlords already provide housing for a high proportion of homeless households in Edinburgh as well supporting households with other needs for housing due to mobility difficulties and overcrowding.
“In recognition of the shortage of affordable housing in Edinburgh we have also committed to building 20,000 new affordable homes in the city in the next 10 years.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, co-founder of Social Bite, said: “I would like to thank EdIndex for their bold leadership in tackling this issue. I would also like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council leadership Adam McVey and Cammy Day for having such a strong vision for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people.
“A significant amount of the money raised by Sleep in the Park will be invested to make sure that this commitment to housing is paired with fantastic support.
“We’ll work with a range of Scottish charities and leading minds in housing and homelessness to help map out the support people will require to get back on their feet. We will also work hand in hand with the Scottish Government action group to make sure our approach is joined up with the ongoing work to tackle homelessness.”
News of the extra housing accommodation came ahead of last night’s Sleep Out in Princes Street Gardens. On what turned out to be Edinburgh’s coldest night of the year so far, eight thousand people enjoyed an evening’s entertainment while fundraising and raising awareness of homelessness.
Come this morning, those well-wrapped up folk went home to warm, cosy, beds. For too many people, however, last night was just another night. For them, every night is a Sleep Out night.
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