Inverness Facing Crisis Among The Homeless

Inverness is facing a crisis in meeting the needs of the city’s most vulnerable homeless people, campaigners have warned.

The concerns were voiced as the Salvation Army closed the doors of the 26-bed hostel, Huntly House, for the final time while the Highland Homeless Trust warned a five-bed unit it runs in Telford Road will close in the next few months.

The closure of Huntly House after 22 years’ service follows a decision by Highland Council — which owns the building — to withdraw funding from the Salvation Army run project. The remaining residents moved out at the end of last week but centre manager, Sandy Frame, voiced reservations about the level of support for those needing help with complex issues such as mental health problems.

“Residents have moved on to what is called ‘appropriate accommodation’,” he said. “In our opinion, it isn’t appropriate accommodation. Knowing their needs, I don’t think they have been fully assessed.”

Agnes Fraser, manager of the Highland Homeless Trust, voiced similar concerns, saying that different types of accommodation were needed in the city but it was not being provided. “In the community, we have a duty to accommodate those who are more vulnerable than ourselves,” she said. “We are not doing that. It is in crisis.”

On any one night, there are between 150 and 200 homeless people in B&Bs in Inverness plus between 15 and 20 rough sleepers.

A council spokesman said Huntly House residents had been comprehensively assessed and appropriate provision. “We continue to meet our duties to accommodate and provide advice and assistance to all homeless applicants,” he said.

The council continued to work with the Salvation Army through its resettlement project.