An Edinburgh charity that aims to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness has received a £3,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh.
The donation was made to Cyrenians, a homelessness organisation with over 50 year’s experience supporting those excluded from Home, Work, Family and Community. Since its formation, the charity has worked with thousands of people facing homelessness to help them towards more positive futures.
Cyrenians understand there are many routes into homelessness and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. From their residential homes to their work ensuring dignified access to food, to their family mediation and outreach work, Cyrenians are there for those who need them.
Amazon’s donation will help Cyrenians to provide vital supplies to those living in their residential communities, such as new bedding, hygiene products and more.
Speaking on the donation, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Cyrenians helps thousands of people every year in our city so we’re very pleased to support the impactful work the charity does.
“With the current cost of living crisis, the services provided by the Cyrenians staff and volunteers are needed now, more than ever, and we hope that this donation helps them to continue their invaluable work.”
Nicole LeBlond, Community Manager from Cyrenians, added: “I would like to say thank you on behalf of our team at Cyrenians for Amazon’s donation. Support like this enables us to keep offering help and guidance for people in our community who are impacted by homelessness, and we really appreciate this gesture from Amazon.”
Cyrenians received the donation as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.
Gleneagles Townhouse, the 33-bedroom hotel, all-day restaurant and member’s club on St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, is delighted to announce it’s collaboration with Social Bite, one of Scotland’s leading homelessness charities.
Gleneagles has supported the work of Social Bite since 2018 as corporate partner for its hugely successful mass participation sleep-out and Break The Cycle events, and this new partnership will see their initiatives integrated throughout the Edinburgh Townhouse’s offering; from the restaurant, to staffing, to event support and hotel stays.
Gleneagles Townhouse is also donating a percentage of its joining fee for new members to Social Bite, helping the charity’s ongoing efforts to break the cycle of homelessness in Scotland.
Additionally, the Townhouse will be attributing a donation to Social Bite with every dessert ordered in The Spence, its all-day dining restaurant, and in time working with Social Bite on its Jobs First programme.
This will see the city centre venue employ individuals who have been affected by homelessness in the past. Social Bite provides meaningful jobs to people who have experienced homelessness as an extreme barrier to employment and part of its ongoing work as an organisation is to help those in a similar situation find steady and fulfilling employment, with the aim of 1 in 4 of their own staff to have come from this background themselves.
A £1 contribution per room, per night, will also be added to guest bills for each hotel stay. All proceeds will go towards Social Bite’s work to end homelessness through providing homes, jobs, and food; including support such as providing new furniture and necessary materials to make a house a home within the Social Bite village in nearby Granton.
These initiatives mark the continuation of a mutual collaboration that will be further cemented with a Burns Supper inspired event to be held at Gleneagles in January. The evening will comprise of a live auction, music from London Essentials, and an exclusive menu created by Gleneagles’ and Townhouse’s top chefs, including Simon Attridge and Jonny Wright respectively, as well as a few special guest chefs from Scotland’s vibrant culinary scene.
Commenting on the partnership announcement, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, Conor O’Leary, said: “We are delighted to be working with our friends at Social Bite once again and hope that together, through this new partnership in Edinburgh, we can support and empower individuals across the city to transform their lives.
“We’re really keen to involve Social Bite in as many aspects of our Townhouse offering as possible and look forward to introducing our guests and members to the work they do in our local community.
“Together with some colleagues from both properties, we were delighted to have taken part in the ‘Break the Cycle’ cycling events over the past two years, with collective efforts from our team helping to raise a combined £33,000 – proceeds of which will go towards building two new Social Bite villages.
“We are so proud to play a small part in helping the vital work of Social Bite in our local community and across the UK.”
Co-founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn, said: “This is such an exciting partnership for Social Bite. We’re thrilled to be working with the team at Gleneagles Townhouse.
“It’s a partnership which will undoubtedly make a great impact across our various pioneering projects; raising vital funds to help us build two more Social Bite villages, helping us continue our free-food provision to people in Edinburgh experiencing homelessness and poverty, as well as providing meaningful employment with tailored support.”
Gleneagles Townhouse is the first ever outpost for the iconic Scottish country hotel in its almost 100-year history in Scotland. Based at 39 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, originally home to the British Linen Bank before later becoming the Bank of Scotland, this historic building has been reimagined to become Gleneagles Townhouse; a 33-bedroom hotel, all-day restaurant, rooftop bar, wellness centre and member’s club.
People experiencing homelessness in Scotland will have the ability to settle and access support wherever they choose under legislation coming into force today.
People can currently be asked to demonstrate their local connection to the area where they present as homeless. If they are unable to do so, councils can refer them to another area where they do have a local link, such as somewhere they or their family members have lived or worked.
The new legislation suspends that power for Scottish local authorities, giving people freedom about where they settle and access services. It aims to help them integrate more fully into the local community and to reduce repeat homelessness.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “Local connection requirements have been recognised as a barrier to accessing homelessness services which is why we have chosen to remove them.
“Most people who are homeless want to live in a community where they are already settled, but this legislation allows them to move somewhere new if they want to – whether that’s to access support, take advantage of job opportunities or simply to have a fresh start.
“This puts rights for homeless households on a par with those for people who own or rent their homes, ensuring they have access to consistent services wherever they are in Scotland.
“I know that there are housing pressures in some local authorities but that, ultimately, they share our ambition of ending homelessness. This legislation will help ensure people can find a settled home as quickly as possible in an area of their choosing.”
Alison Watson, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We hugely welcome the news that this legislation has been passed. It is important progress towards realising the UN right to adequate housing: ensuring people are empowered to make informed decisions on where they would like to apply as homeless and that dignity is embedded in our homelessness system.
“This much anticipated change is one that we have been long calling for, and is another milestone in securing progressive rights to housing. We believe home is everything, and only building more social homes will bring the housing emergency to a permanent end, but it’s vital that people know their rights and are empowered to defend them.”
Ginny Cooper, from Homeless Network Scotland’s Change Team, said: “We are pleased to learn about the changes being made to local connection legislation, and see it as an important shift towards giving people experiencing homelessness more choice in where they decide to build their lives.
“Giving people the option to relocate will improve their opportunities to create new relationships within communities where they are able to thrive.”
Social Bite lights up major cities encouraging kindness this Christmas
Charity aims to provide 300,000 gifts, meals, and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas
Stars including Martin Kemp, Emma and Matt Willis lend their support to the campaign
Donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ online to provide a meal, gift, pack of essential items, and emergency accommodation for a homeless person for just £28
Christmas trees with gift donation points installed in five cities, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, to emphasise that ‘in a world where you can be anything, be kind.’
The cost of living crisis is affecting us all, but the impact is even more devastating for people who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmas. Backed by stars Martin Kemp, Emma and Matt Willis, Social Bite has launched its Festival of Kindness and is urging people in Edinburgh to spread some much-needed festive goodwill and kindness during these difficult times.
Recent research has highlighted that:
More than 1 in 5 people are living in poverty in the UK, according to Joseph Rowntree Foundation.[1]
There was nearly 150 per cent increase in homeless deaths in the capital since 20172
An estimated 1.3 million more people will be plunged into absolute poverty by 2023, including 500,000 children.[2]
6.8 million adults had smaller meals than usual or skipped meals because they couldn’t afford or get access to food.[3]
Which is why the charity is asking people in Edinburgh to donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ for £28, which includes a meal, gift, pack of essential items, and emergency accommodation with support for people who are homeless.
Through the campaign, Social Bite has set a target of providing 300,000 meals, gifts, and essential winter items to those experiencing homelessness during this festive period.
Working alongside local partners, Social Bite has installed 28ft tall Christmas trees in five cities in the UK – London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, with people living nearby encouraged to buy an extra gift and bring it to the Tree of Kindness, these gifts will be distributed to people who are homeless in time for Christmas.
Christmas Trees have also been installed in four other cities in the UK – London, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, and the five Festival of Kindness locations are:
St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
Charing Cross Station, London
Vinicombe Street, Glasgow
Outside M&S at the Bon Accord centre, Aberdeen
City Square, Dundee.
The charity has created a Wishlist of the items and gifts that homeless and vulnerable people need the most especially at this time of year – from a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle, to a torch, earphones, and toys for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning.
Emma Willis said: “The work Social Bite does is amazing, so Matt and I are both really proud to support the Festival of Kindness campaign.
“The help the campaign provides for people experiencing homelessness across the country is transformative for so many and more important than ever during the current rises in the cost of living.
“I’d encourage anyone who can, to donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ online, or get along to their nearest Tree of Kindness to donate a gift and show whatever support they can to this brilliant cause.”
Social Bite co-founder and Executive Director, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “Your kindness is needed now more than ever. The economic challenges and inflation facing the country this year means that homeless people face a very bleak winter.
“Millions of people will be forced to choose between heating and eating and this Christmas, and tens of thousands of people all over the UK will spend the festive period on the streets – cold, hungry and lonely, without a family to go to.
“Tens of thousands of children will also find themselves in temporary emergency accommodation or without food on the table over the festive period.
“That’s why we are asking people living in Edinburgh to support our Festival of Kindness campaign by inviting them to be kind and buy or donate a little extra to help those who need it most – even the smallest of gifts will make a huge difference.”
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Social Bite will be opening its coffee shops in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen to provide a warm Christmas dinner and some loving company for those who need it, as well as providing meals and gifts through a network of over 170 local charity partners across the UK.
Josh added: “Our staff always give up their Christmas day every year to ensure that homeless and vulnerable people have delicious food to eat and some festive company.
“This year we will also be distributing food packs and hot meals to tens of thousands of people in food poverty through our network of charity partners all over the UK.”
All gifts will be distributed by Social Bite’s dedicated team of ‘elves’ to those who need it most, just in time for Christmas.
Denzil Skinner, Chair of Essential Edinburgh Business Improvement District, who are supporting Festival of Kindness in St Andrew Square Edinburgh said:“We would like to encourage all our locals to pop into the city centre, select a gift from the wish-list at one of our fantastic retailers and leave it at the tree of kindness in St Andrew Square Garden.
“This small act of kindness will make such a difference to some of our most vulnerable citizens. A little kindness goes a long way.”
In 2021, thanks to the generous support of the public, the Festival of Kindness campaign resulted in 276,545 Christmas meals, food packs, gifts, and essential items for people affected by homelessness and food poverty.
All gifts donated at the trees should be new and unwrapped, and there is a helpful ‘how-to’ guide on the charity’s website. Donated items will be placed in weather-proof Perspex boxes and collected each evening for transportation to the local distribution centre nearby.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, has called on SNP Ministers to declare a homeless emergency across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
At General Questions in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Miles Briggs MSP asked Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Social Security and Local Government “Will he today now act and declare a homeless emergency here in the capital?”
Figures release on Wednesday showed that the number of estimated homeless deaths across Lothian had increased dramatically over the last three years.
Across Lothian estimated homeless deaths have gone from 26 in 2019, to 41 in 2020 to 63 in 2021. [Figures below]
The number of homeless applications has significantly increased over the last three years with 8,165 applications across East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian in the quarter ending 30th September 2021, compared to 6,334 applications for the quarter ending 30th September 2019. [Figures below]
There has been an unprecedented number of children living in temporary accommodation in East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian. Across Lothian 2,990 children were living in temporary accommodation at 31st March 2022, this compares to 2,140 children living in temporary accommodation at 31st March 2019. [Figures below]
Lothian list MSP Miles Briggs, who is the Conservative candidate for Edinburgh Southern, said:“The number of people who have died while homeless here in the capital has increased by nearly 150 percent over the last four years.
“Shelter Scotland have said the situation pointed towards public services failing people and a broken housing system.
“It is simply not acceptable, and Edinburgh City Council do not have the resources to deliver a solution.”
Sarah Boyack has warned against a “cliff-edge” in housing support in Lothian as a report reveals the number of open housing advice cases hit its highest point on record after pandemic protections were stripped away.
“Housing Options” services provide support and advice for people facing homelessness or other housing issues. Most people who seek advice through this system will go on to make a homelessness application, with this being the outcome in 55 per cent of cases in 2021/22.
In Edinburgh, in 2021/22 the number people approaching this service fell by 2 per cent, however, the average time taken for the local authority to deliver this support rose by a shocking 179%, up to 148 days in 2021/22 from 53 days in 2020/21, making it highest increase among all local councils.
The number of open cases in Edinburgh climbed by 13 per cent to the highest point since records began in 2014/15.
The number of people in Scotland approaching the service at risk of homelessness because of termination of tenancy or mortgage due to rent arrears or default on payments soared by a staggering 53 per cent in a single year.
This sharp increase is likely the result of emergency protections introduced during the pandemic ending. Labour have called these figures a “stark warning” and urged the SNP government not to repeat its mistakes when measures introduced to manage the cost of living crisis come to an end.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack said:“This damning report lays bare how badly tenants and homeowners were abandoned after the pandemic.
“In Edinburgh, the council is struggling to cope with rising demand, with the need for high quality, affordable housing being more pressing than ever.
“People arriving from Ukraine are also in desperate need for accommodation.
“What will happen when the current rent freeze and evictions ban draw to an end?
“No-one should lose their home because of this cost of living crisis – we need a real long-term plan to prevent homelessness, protect tenants, and help homeowners, before a second wave of homelessness hits.”
Table 4a: Number of open PREVENT1 approaches as at 31 March, in Edinburgh: 2015 to 2022
2015
2,555
2016
2,875
2017
3,210
2018
3,515
2019
3,880
2020
4,725
2021
6,520
2022
7,370
Change 2021 to 2022 %
13%
Table 6a: Reason for PREVENT1 approach: 2014-15 to 2021-22
2020-21
2021-22
Change 20-21 to 21-22 %
All Approaches
37,412
40,062
7%
Homelessness type reasons:
Termination of tenancy / mortgage due to rent arrears / default on payments
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, highlights help for people facing homelessness in Edinburgh:
It takes a whole society to work together to help people who face homelessness and prevent families from losing their homes. This autumn and winter, we must all look out for those around us.
With the lowest proportion of social housing in the country and the biggest, most expensive, private rented sector, the current economic climate is worrying for Edinburgh. This is a rapidly growing city and we already face housing pressures like nowhere else in Scotland.
Our fundamental problem is that, in spite of all the council’s efforts to build new affordable homes, we simply do not have enough to fulfil the demand and we are calling on the Scottish Government to support Scotland’s capital city by providing the funding that will allow us to unlock the means to build warm and affordable homes like those we’re building in West Granton.
The cost of living crisis gives me grave concern that even more households in Edinburgh could be forced into debt, financial insecurity and ultimately feel unable to afford their own home. No one should have to experience the stress of not having a safe and permanent home and the daily pressures facing people experiencing homelessness are unimaginable for most.
Sadly, after the pandemic we’re starting to see numbers of homeless cases gradually rise again – highlighting just how important and urgent it is that people understand the help which exists.
We are focusing our efforts on prevention and helping people to stay in their current homes, putting plans in place to help those at risk of fuel poverty and creating a dedicated cost of living directory, and we’re working with Changeworks as we do every year to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.
Our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan steps up activity to prevent homelessness, maximises our supply of and access to settled housing options, reduces the time people spend as homeless – especially in temporary accommodation – and helps us to provide tailored support as and when people need it. It is a five-year plan which prioritises prevention and directs every decision we make.
Council tenants’ rents have been frozen for two years running and we’re considering extending this for another year.
A dedicated team has been tasked with reducing the number of people who become homeless from the private rented sector, and I urge landlords to extend the freeze on their rents when government rules lift next year.
Landlords, including those with short-term lets, can also sign over to Private Sector Leasing – receiving market rates and guaranteed tenancies through the council and providing an essential home for someone in need.
We’re developing pathways to avoid homelessness for people at key transition points in their life – such as leaving hospital or prison or fleeing domestic abuse – and have specialist support in place for anyone at these junctures.
In 2020 we adopted a new Domestic Abuse Housing Policy which aims to give people affected by domestic abuse access a range of housing options. It prioritises, where possible, those subjected to abuse safely staying where they are or moving quickly and with strong support into a safer space.
I’m so grateful to the many officers, third sector organisations, partners and volunteers in our city who work day and night to help people in desperate need. As a Bethany soup kitchen volunteer I have seen first-hand the difference charity workers and local residents can make to improve – even save – lives.
Streetwork is a charity that supports people who are homeless in Edinburgh – please do contact them on 0808 178 2323 if you are worried about someone you think is homeless. We also have an emergency out of hours service which can be contacted at any time on 0800 032 5968.
TODAY (Monday 10 October) marks World Homeless Day, which highlights the issues facing many people without a permanent home in our communities.
With the cost of living rising, we want to raise awareness of the help we have available and what we are doing to increase our impact.
Prevention is better than a cure
The best way to tackle homelessness is to stop it from happening in the first place and to help as many people as we can before they find themselves at risk of losing their home.
We’re looking ahead to this winter and putting plans in place to help those at risk of fuel poverty, with a dedicated cost of living directory, and we’re working with Changeworks as we do every year, so that support is available to make homes warmer and more energy efficient.
Our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan steps up activity to prevent homelessness, maximises our supply of and access to settled housing options, reduces the time people spend as homeless, especially in temporary accommodation, and helps us to provide tailored support as and when people need it. It is a five-year plan which prioritises prevention and directs every decision we make to improve the homelessness services we provide.
24/7 help and advice
Despite working to prevent homelessness, sudden events, life changes or circumstances can lead to someone losing their home or rough sleeping unexpectedly. We have an emergency out of hours service which can be contacted at any time on 0800 032 5968.
We will provide a housing options interview to anyone at risk of becoming homeless within the next 56 days with the aim of stopping each person from losing their home, giving advice on housing options and involving other agencies who can help.
Streetwork is a charity that supports people who are homeless in Edinburgh. Their team is out on the streets every day and night, helping people to resolve their homelessness as quickly as possible. Anyone can contact Streetwork if they are worried about someone they think is homeless, on 0808 178 2323 or at streetteam@streetwork.org.uk.
Streetwork will go out to find the person to offer them support.
The Scottish Government has imposed a nationwide rent freeze until March 2023 to help with the cost of living crisis. Yet, Edinburgh still experiences some of the highest private sector rents in Europe.
That’s why we’ve created a dedicated team tasked with reducing the number of people who become homeless from the private rented sector. By the end of March 2022, this team has supported 100 homeless households to access a settled home in the private rented sector or in mid-market rent properties – preventing homelessness for 240 households by helping them to remain in their current private rental tenancy, or by supporting them to access a new home in a private rented sector or mid-market rent property.
Early intervention for Council tenants
We’ve frozen rents for Council tenants for two years running and Councillors are considering extending this for another year.
We’ve carried out an early intervention pilot project to identify and support Council tenants who are at serious risk of court or eviction action from failing to pay rents, but who have been difficult to engage with. Over the course of the pilot, 49% of household referrals engaged with the service and remain in their home and now we will seek to develop the service further.
Tailored help at the hardest of times
We’re developing pathways to avoid homelessness for people at key transition points in their life – such as leaving hospital or prison or fleeing domestic abuse – and have specialist support in place for anyone at these junctures.
In 2020 we adopted a new Domestic Abuse Housing Policy which aims to give people affected by domestic abuse access a range of housing options. It prioritises, where possible, those subjected to abuse safely staying where they are or moving quickly and with strong support into a safer space.
Breaking the cycle of repeated homelessness
Experiencing homeless is a hugely stressful and challenging event for anyone. Often there are complex reasons why a person returns to homelessness. We work with our partners like NHS Lothian, Streetwork, Shelter and Bethany to offer mental health, addiction and other help to try and break the cycle.
Providing a home is just one aspect of combatting homelessness. Helping people to access financial support, set up a bank account, find employment, access the internet, and participate in community life are all ways which can support independence and stability. We work with partners in the third sector to provide this help.
Edinburgh Help to Rent is a scheme to help homeless households’ access and keep a private rented tenancy in Edinburgh. The scheme provides a rent deposit guarantee bond and offers rent in advance, as well as furniture, and access to support if needed. This service is delivered by Crisis and 138 bonds have been issued to households over the course of the project so far, with 38 issued in the year to March 2022.
Better support for people experiencing homelessness
We have been delivering a scheme called Housing First since November 2018. It provides ordinary, settled housing with separate wrap-around support for people with the most complex of needs. As of 31 March 2022 we had a tenancy sustainment rate of 80% and support has been provided for a total of 153 households.
Delivered by Simon Community Scotland / Streetwork, these interim measures will be in place until the end of March 2023, when we’ll commission Visiting Housing Support – an improved one stop service which will include support for people in receipt of housing first, people currently receiving support from the complex needs service and people who currently receive support from the locality visiting housing support services.
Additional support for young people
We provide a homelessness prevention service and advice on housing options for young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and are 16 or 17 years old, or under 21 and have been looked after by us. Likewise, special support is available for people with significant support needs.
For young people who are leaving or recently left our care, they are supported to find appropriate, sustainable accommodation. It is a transition to live independently, and we work with young people to create a Pathway Plan.
We’ve also committed to developing proposals for a youth housing hub, a physical hub providing co-location of core services and hosting for wider relevant services for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Services provided would include statutory services, employability, housing support, health services, advice and welfare services. A feasibility study has been completed and a draft implementation plan is being taken forward.
Moving people through the system quicker
With demand for housing so high in Edinburgh, many people face long waiting times for a suitable home which best meets their needs. People can also feel unsure about the bidding process.
To help us speed up the system, we’ve recruited 28 additional officers including 10 new Housing Assistants and a Supervisor. These posts are part of a recently formed transformation team in Homelessness Prevention and Housing Options who are supporting the work to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation.
Our Housing Assistants provide practical help ensuring people understand the bidding process, get support with bidding as required and provide feedback on bids. They re-enforce Housing Options advice. At the end of March 2022, among other positive outcomes, the Housing Assistants’ interventions resulted in 892 case closures and 87 homeless households accepting suitable offers of settled accommodation as a direct result of bidding feedback.
Improving our accommodation
It is no secret that Edinburgh faces a severe social housing shortage and demand for new housing. In the face of these challenges, we are working hard to improve the type and amount of temporary accommodation we have to offer, and we’re doing this through some innovative ways.
Private Sector Leasing (PSL)
PSL provides self-contained flats leased from private landlords. The new contract we introduced in 2020 linked rates we can offer to local market rates within Edinburgh. This has allowed more competitive rates to and take up from landlords. At the end of March 2022 there were 1,747 PSL properties, which is an increase of 163 properties compared to the year previous.
Home Share
This is a form of temporary accommodation where three to five people live together in a furnished home in the community. This accommodation has received positive feedback from residents, the number of Home Share properties we’re offering has increased from 6 properties and 26 residents in March 2020 to 17 properties and 55 residents across the city by 31 March 2022.
Temporary Furnished Flats (TFF)
We have a plan to increase our stock of these flats as quickly as possible and reduce the amount of emergency accommodation we use. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the delivery of this initiative but work has now fully commenced again.
Development of gap homes
Officers are identifying potential gap sites, small suitable areas of land in Council ownership, which could be used to build temporary accommodation through modular construction methods that meets the needs of service users.
Support for refugees
Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, we’ve welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees through Edinburgh, providing similar homelessness support to anyone without a permanent home in this city. While most Ukrainian people settled here are on Government schemes, we are also aiding temporary accommodation and support into employment, to receive benefits and with household items.
Social homes
We have a rehousing target of a minimum of 50% of Registered Social Landlords (RSL) lets, both new build and existing, being allocated to homeless households. The target for Council social lets is a minimum of 70%, which means many homes which become available are prioritised to people who have been experiencing homelessness.
As part of our housebuilding plans, we are also committed to building new Council homes within 10 years, and to ‘retrofitting’ thousands of existing homes to bring them up to a newbuild standard.
Commenting, Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing Homelessness and Fair Work Convener said:“It takes a whole society to work together to help people who face homelessness and prevent families from losing their homes.
“This World Homeless Day I’m so grateful to the many officers, third sector organisations, partners and volunteers in our city who work day and night to help people in desperate need.
“The daily pressures facing people experiencing homelessness are unimaginable for most. No one should have to experience the stress of not having a safe and permanent home.
“Sadly, after the pandemic we’re starting to see numbers of homeless cases gradually rise again – highlighting just how important and urgent it is that people understand the help which exists.
“Particularly in light of the cost of living crisis this winter, we are focusing our efforts on prevention and helping people to stay in their current homes, given the many difficulties households face.
“Edinburgh is a growing city and we face housing pressures like nowhere else in Scotland. With the lowest proportion of social housing in the country and the biggest, most expensive, private rented sector, the current economic climate is of concern.
“That said, the Council and the city has made huge strides in recent years. There are changes which I think are making a truly positive impact and will make a great difference in the long term. Lots of work has taken place to tackle root causes and recurring issues when it comes to homelessness in our city, and that’s clear to see. Together, we’re committed to keeping the momentum going as we face the cost of living challenges ahead of us.”
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, we welcome any action to prevent the very real possibility of more people ending up homeless on our streets.
Since the start of the pandemic, charities have seen a rise in the number of homeless Armed Forces veterans seeking their help – some report an increase of 50%.
We are also seeing people with more severe and complex needs.
When someone has served their country, the least we can do is support them when they make the move back to civilian life. Yet every year thousands of veterans end up sleeping rough, sofa surfing or living in unsuitable hostels because they’re unable to access housing and slip through the net. The cost-of-living crisis will only make the situation worse.
The Armed Forces Covenant states that anyone who has served should face no disadvantage and that veterans who are especially vulnerable should be prioritised for support.
It’s vital that when someone needs help with housing, they are asked whether they’ve served in the Forces. If they have, this should be recorded. Once identified, they can be directed towards support that’s available.
We are concerned that without action, things will get much worse. A more coordinated approach between local authorities, housing providers, homelessness charities and veterans’ organisations is needed.
No one wants to see more veterans on our streets this winter. Those that have served, often through the most trying of times, deserve better.
The specialist running retailer in Edinburgh has teamed up with well-known running sock brand, Balega to donate socks to the local homeless charity, Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland.
Throughout September, for every pair of socks sold by Up & Running, Balega will donate a pair to Streetwork, in a bid to provide warmth and comfort to those forced to sleep on the streets.
This is the fourth year that Up & Running and Balega have joined forces, which has seen the campaign donate a substantial number of socks to help homeless charities throughout the UK. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of homelessness and the fantastic work the charities do ahead of World Homeless Day on October 10th.
Talking about the campaign, Co-Managing Director for Up & Running, George Cunningham said, “We are happy to once again be supporting local homeless shelters and projects, and are grateful to customers, staff and Balega for the contributions to the sock donation.
“The issue of homelessness is heart-breaking and serious, and affects all communities. We hope that the sock donation will help in a small way to bring some comfort and dignity to those in need.”
Jon Dennis, UK Balega representative said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Up & Running again to deliver our homeless support campaign.
“Balega has a long tradition of supporting communities and charities and our partnership with Up & Running continues this tradition.”
If you would like to support the campaign please head down to Up & Running Edinburgh and purchase a pair of socks or visit www.upandrunning.co.uk
