Minister says 2012 target will be hit
06/10/2009
The looming 2012 target on beating homelessness will be met, according to the Government and campaigners.
Scotland's housing and homeless leaders and senior academics have gathered today at the Delivering 2012 conference, hosted by Shelter Scotland and sponsored by Orchard & Shipman, to assess the real progress made under Scotland's internationally acclaimed homelessness legislation. It will focus on how Scotland will be meeting commitments to give everyone the right to a home, as well as providing a platform for sharing ideas for ending homelessness.
Speaking at the conference is the Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil MSP, who is expected to reinforce the Government's commitment to the 2012 target as well as outlining priorities for the next 3 year.
Mr. Neil said: "We are investing £1.5billion to build thousands of affordable homes and we have invested £50m to kick-start the largest council house buildling programme in Scotland for 30 years. But housing investment alone will not help us achieve the 2012 target. We also need to improve access to existing stock, improve joint working and, crucially, work to prevent homelessness before it occurs."
Other speakers include Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland; Professor Isobel Anderson, director of the Housing Policy and Practice Unit at Stirling University; Jill Cronin, policy and strategy manager at South Ayrshire Council; and Andrew Morrison, director of policy and business development at Orchard & Shipman Plc.
Source: The Herald (Scotland)