Cyrenians has been announced as the lead organisation for a new fund aimed at tackling homelessness in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh based homelessness charity, who are currently marking their 50th year, are delighted to be selected as the lead organisation in the ambitious Housing First Edinburgh programme.
Cyrenians Chief Executive Ewan Aitken said, “The Housing First Edinburgh initiative is a system changing development and we’re privileged to be leading the project in partnership with Turning Point Scotland, the Rock Trust, Street Work, Bethany Christian Trust, Gowrie Care and Barony Care.
“Homelessness is sadly still a real challenge within our society. Over the past 50 years we have developed a number of programmes tackling the various issues that result in homelessness in a people-focussed, holistic manner.
“Through Housing First Edinburgh we have an incredible opportunity to deliver a new bespoke programme in collaboration with our partner organisations for an initial two years.
“Together we will deliver the innovative Housing First model which uses home as the first step in combatting the causes of homelessness, helping individuals receive the support they need to regain their own independence and rejoin their community.”
Ewan continued, “Our aim throughout this period is to develop a support network for over 200 individuals, tackling the root cause of homelessness – whatever that might be for each person who needs our help.
“Through our partnership work we will empower people to feel more connected and included in our city, and support them to eventual independence.”
Patrick McKay, Operations Manager with lead for Homelessness from Turning Point Scotland said, “Turning Point Scotland, as early adopter of Housing First, are absolutely delighted to see this investment from the Housing First Scotland Fund.
“We value this opportunity made real by ordinary Scottish Citizens participating in the Social Bite Big Sleep, as well as significant funding from Merchants House of Glasgow. This funding will allow us to provide support and housing to vulnerable homeless people who would never have otherwise been given the chance to reside in their own tenancy.”
Alasdair Bennett, Bethany’s new Chief Executive said “We are delighted to be able to offer Housing First as part of a Consortium of providers in Edinburgh, and a national programme across Scotland, working together to end homelessness and supporting vulnerable people to sustain their own home with a good quality of life.”
Graeme Brown, Gowrie Care Area Manager added, “We are always looking at innovative ways of tackling homelessness in our areas of operation so are delighted to be partnering with Cyrenians, and other organisations, to deliver this new project in Edinburgh.
“We are acutely aware that homelessness can be a devastating experience for people and numbers are on the rise. We are happy to be able to bring a range of experiences to support the Housing First model, which has a proven track record in resolving homelessness for many people.
“With a long history of providing homelessness services in the city we are confident that our involvement with Housing First will ensure its success.”
Five projects were announced that will aim to support hundreds of homeless people across five cities in Scotland off the streets and into a secure tenancy with support. The funding comes from Social Bite through money that was raised through their Sleep in the Park events.
The other significant contributor of funds is The Merchants House of Glasgow. Up to 800 houses have been pledged by a variety of housing associations and local councils to the programme, which will be delivered in partnership with Corra Foundation and The Homeless Network. Projects will also be supported through expert training in a new model of supporting vulnerable people, delivered by Turning Point Scotland.
Housing First means that home is the best foundation from which to address any other challenges people face. It means safety and security, and a fresh opportunity for people to build and live their lives as part of a community. It means leaving homelessness behind for good – the system, the experience and the label.
The Housing First Scotland Fund was launched earlier this year and represents the biggest adoption of the Housing First model in Europe. This first set of projects will be funded until 2021 across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Aberdeen and Dundee with the aim of supporting just over 200 people. The ultimate ambition of the programme is to support 800 people out of homelessness for good.
Social Bite Founder, Josh Littlejohn said: “It is fantastic to see the Housing First programme reach this stage of awarding funds to local homelessness charities so that they can deliver the comprehensive support that many vulnerable people need to sustain a tenancy and break the cycle of homelessness.
“It is a major milestone in the fight against homelessness and I hope it will make a massive difference to Scotland’s most excluded people, many of whom have suffered from homelessness for years. This programme was only made possible by the 8,000 people who slept out for us last December, I would like to thank each and every one of them, and encourage people to join our Sleep in the Park events this year.”
Kevin Stewart, MSP Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning said: “We want to ensure everyone has a safe place they can call home. This is a significant step forward for the Social Bite Housing First Programme and towards helping people with complex needs to move quickly into permanent homes with the support they need to sustain a tenancy.
“To consolidate and support that, we are working closely with councils to ensure that this work is integrated into broader plans to implement the recommendations of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, to prevent homelessness and strengthen the help for those who need it most. To this end we have already committed up to £4 million from the £50 million Ending Homelessness Together Fund to support councils in the participating five cities.”
Corra Foundation CEO, Fiona Duncan said: “It’s a real privilege to be involved in delivering this fund. We believe it will make a real difference to people in the immediate future, as well as having a lasting impact on the way homeless people are supported in Scotland.”
The funded projects are:
1) Housing First Glasgow led by Turning Point Scotland with a consortium comprised of Simon Community Scotland, The Salvation Army and Loretto Care (£900,000)
2) Housing First Edinburgh led by Edinburgh Cyrenians with a consortium comprised of Turning Point Scotland, Rock Trust, Streetwork, Bethany Christian Trust, Gowrie Care and Barony Care (£650,000).
3) Housing First Dundee led by Transform Community Development with a consortium comprised of Salvation Army Dundee, Dundee Survival Group (DSG) and Addaction (£400,000)
4) Housing First Aberdeen led by Aberdeen Cyrenians with a consortium comprised of Aberdeen Foyer, Turning Point Scotland, Aberdeen City Council Housing Support Department and Aberdeenshire Council (£400,000)
5) Housing First Stirling led by Loretto Care with Barony Care offering support (£100,000)
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