HOMELESSNESS: How do you fancy the idea of rough sleeping?

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By Bill Heaney

It’s really cold today but it’s going to be freezing and possibly even snowing over the weekend.
So, how do you fancy the idea of rough sleeping; of getting your head down on a cold pavement, a park bench or up a stinking close which has been used as a toilet?
It’s not a pleasant thought, but Labour MSP Alex Rowley decided to bring it to the attention of well upholstered fellow MSPs  who have been known to complain from time to time that the debating chamber at Holyrood is too warm to work in.
And that hot air from their opponents’ benches is not the only problem.
Mr Rowley told them: “Anyone who walked from the bus or train station this morning will have passed homeless people sleeping in the street.
“We now know that, last year, 244 of our fellow citizens in Scotland died while homeless. With 15,000 Scots currently homeless, what steps is the Scottish Government taking to support people who will be rough sleeping over the coming festive period?”

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison, told MSPs: “Alex Rowley raises a really important point. It is our ambition to eradicate rough sleeping from our streets, and we are taking a number of actions to do so.

“On the issue of homelessness more broadly, Scotland has the strongest rights in the UK for people who experience homelessness. We have taken action on local connection and on extending unsuitable accommodation orders.

“In addition to the funding that goes through local government, we are giving councils £30.5 million each year to help to prevent homelessness, and we are providing £100 million from our multiyear ending homelessness together fund.

“Further, we have given councils money to try to reduce the use of temporary accommodation. The housing first approach is also being funded to help people with complex needs, which we know many people have.

“On the estimated 244 deaths, I regret every one of them. It is a tragedy. Behind each of those figures is a person and a family, and we should remember that.”

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