A group of 40 organisations fighting homelessness has called for a “critical” ministerial statement on the housing crisis ahead of the upcoming Programme for Government.
The call, led by charities including Homeless Network Scotland, Social Bite, and Shelter Scotland, follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s promise to have all homeless people in England off the streets by Christmas.
The organisations have asked for the statement to be issued during the MSPs’ first week back, while setting out five tests which will help judge Holyrood’s response to the crisis.
Some 10,480 children were reported to be in temporary accommodation in Scotland last year alone, and the coalition of organisations have in turn published a set of five tests to see if ministers are serious about pushing back against the housing crisis.
The tests are: building 15,693 new social homes each year, backed by £8.8 billion; making beating homelessness a top priority; a year-on-year reduction in families and children in temporary accommodation while making use of existing housing stock; and preventing homelessness earlier.
Additionally, they have called for ending the need for anyone in Scotland to sleep rough at any time of year by using every available option, including ramping up proven support solutions such as Housing First.
Ahead of the Programme for Government, it is only right that Parliament and the public receive an update on what steps the Scottish Government has planned to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, following the recent commitments from the Prime Minister
Homeless Network Scotland’s chief executive Maggie Brunjes said: “Last week we saw a strong statement of political intent from the Prime Minister on homelessness and rough sleeping in England.
“As this new session of the Scottish Parliament now gets properly under way following the election and the summer recess, it is absolutely critical that Scotland now shows similar ambition.
“Ahead of the Programme for Government, it is only right that Parliament and the public receive an update on what steps the Scottish Government has planned to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, following the recent commitments from the Prime Minister.
“Our five tests provide a set of clear and measurable standards against which all of us can judge the progress made by politicians over the next five years.
“These can ensure that homelessness and the housing emergency remain a national priority over this parliament.
“Homelessness is not inevitable. We know what works, and as MSPs prepare for the new parliamentary term, this is the ideal moment for them to show the public that they grasp the scale of this emergency and are prepared to do what it takes to rise to the occasion.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Since 2007, the Scottish Government has delivered well over 100,000 affordable homes for social rent, including tens of thousands of new council homes.
“Scotland also continues to outperform England and Wales on affordable housebuilding per head of population.
“We are also taking decisive action through our Housing Emergency Action Plan that commits up to £4.9 billion over four years to deliver around 36,000 affordable homes across Scotland – giving thousands of children a warm, safe place to live.
“Our First Homes Fund is helping first time buyers to get on the property ladder, and launching the £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund will make sure fewer people reach the point of crisis.”