Improving Scottish temp housing
20/12/2007
Scottish Government urged to make a lasting present to homeless people this Christmas
This Christmas up to 9,000 families, couples or individuals in Scotland will find themselves spending the festive season without a home to call their own. They will be staying in homelessness temporary accommodation awaiting a housing solution. This accommodation is often of a poor standard or does not meet the needs of the family.
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland (CIH) today has launched an Action Plan setting out the case for The Scottish Government to set standards which temporary accommodation must meet to ensure the welfare of homeless people.
Alan Ferguson, Director CIH in Scotland said,
“The best and longest lasting present the Scottish Government can give many homeless people this Christmas, apart from a home of their own, is to ensure that all temporary accommodation is of a good physical standard and that it meets the needs of the household.
“This would include for example ensuring that there is a quiet space for children to do their homework so they do not fall behind in their schooling. Or that the location of the accommodation takes account of where a person works or any needs they have to access health facilities. A standard will not only provide comfort to nearly 60,000 households that report themselves as homeless each year but will help the Scottish Government deliver on its education, economic and health targets.”
“We have written to Scottish Ministers and to MSPs urging them to support the development of a temporary accommodation standard.”
Andrew Morrison, Director of Policy & Business Development, Orchard & Shipman plc., who supported the publication of the Action Plan stated:
“Orchard & Shipman are pleased to be associated with this Action Plan recommending standards of temporary accommodation for homeless households. As managing agents for private sector leasing schemes for 4 local authorities, we are currently helping over 1,150 households in Scotland with their accommodation needs. The local authorities we work with have set high standards for this accommodation and we work in partnership with landlords to ensure that these standards are maintained for the safety and security of the tenants.”