Church calls for national strategy to target ‘dehumanising’ problem of homelessness
A new national strategy to tackle the “demoralising, degrading and dehumanising” problem of homelessness must be introduced in Scotland, a leading church figure has said.
Right Rev Dr Russell Barr, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, suggested a “collective endeavour” partnership of councils, political parties, housing associations and charities should be formed to end rough sleeping and reliance on temporary accommodation.
He said the model has been developed successfully in Finland, which he described as the only western European country to significantly reduce the number of homeless people in recent years.
The moderator set out his ideas in a keynote speech at a seminar in Edinburgh on Friday.
Dr Barr (pictured) said the number of people registered homeless in Scotland has not changed enough since he founded Edinburgh-based support charity Fresh Start in 1999.
Official figures show councils in Scotland dealt with 34,662 homelessness applications during 2015/16, down by 4% on the previous year.
The moderator argued, however, the figure is not so dissimilar to that from 1996 when there were 40,989 applications, according to housing charity Shelter.
He said anecdotal evidence suggests the current figures also underplay the true level of homelessness as they do not capture the number of people who are “sofa surfing” without registering themselves with their local council.
Dr Barr said homelessness is merely being managed and warned there will be “little hope” of resolving, let alone ending, the scourge unless a joined-up approach is taken.
He told the Scottish Churches Housing Action event: “I have never been homeless but for the better part of these last 20 years I have been actively involved in trying to support people who are homeless.
“During the course of these 20 years I have glimpsed something of what a dreadful experience it is to be homeless – demoralising, degrading, dehumanising.”
Dr Barr said that ending the policy of right to buy, changes to private tenancy law, a shortage of affordable homes, the changing make-up of households and austerity have all contributed to homelessness.
He said: “Finland is the only western European country which has been able to significantly reduce the number of people homeless in recent years.
“The Finnish distinctive ‘housing first’ model has demonstrated it is always more cost-effective to end homelessness rather than manage it.
“This nationally-agreed policy made it possible to establish a wide partnership of state authorities, local communities and non-governmental organisations.
“Because there were co-ordinated and targeted measures in the implementation of the policy, it is working.
“Collective endeavour – as expressed in a nationally-agreed strategy appropriate for the Scottish context – could not be more urgent.”
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “Everyone in Scotland should have a safe and warm place to call home.
“That is why we are increasing housing supply and are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes backed by over £3 billion investment during the lifetime of this Parliament, building on the 30,000-plus homes we have already delivered.
“The most recent figures also show that progress is being made and there has been a 6% decrease in the number of households assessed as homeless, continuing the downward trend of recent years – but we know more needs to be done.
“That is why we are providing funding and working closely with local authorities and the third sector to help prevent homelessness and ensure the strong housing rights homeless people have in law are delivered.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2016, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) Chris Flexen / PA Wire.
