Edinburgh (Commonwealth Union) – Homelessness can be driven by a variety of factors such as health issues, drug abuse and financial mismanagement, among others. Economic hardships are known to push low-income earners highly in debt towards homelessness which has been seen in many parts of the United Kingdom. A new report put together by Heriot-Watt University, and Matt Rayment from ICF, demonstrated a range of results emphasizing the advantages and obstacles of scaling the ‘Housing First’ approach to tackle Scottish homelessness.
The independent report demonstrated the accomplishments of the ‘Housing First’ Pathfinder programme which changed the way, highly vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness get support in Scotland. Housing First has its focus on homeless individuals with complex support needs, giving them a safe home of their own, and intensive tailored support.
The ‘Housing First Pathfinder Programme’ was initiated to increase Housing First delivery in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling, giving homes and supporting 579 people. The homelessness charity, Social Bite, enhanced the programme with pledges from housing providers to have one-bedroom flats available for rough sleepers with complex support requirements. Social Bite pledged £2m towards the programme via large participation fundraising events such as Sleep in the Park, with £5m investment from the Scottish Government and £150k from Merchants House of Glasgow.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Bite, stated that they were firm believers that all persons in Scotland need a safe place to call home as it’s not just a basic human right, but crucial to form a society for all who truly have the chance to reach their maximum potential. “The Pathfinder report further underlines the untold benefits of scaling up this approach right across the country to help transform lives and communities. Housing First helps drive up tenancy sustainment, improve people’s mental health and has huge cost savings for local authorities so I’m delighted to see so many positive findings included in this new report,” he said.
