Tackling rough sleeping this winter: new actions in Scotland welcomed by Govan Law Centre

Govan Law Centre (GLC) has welcomed new actions announced today by the First Minister to further tackle rough sleeping this winter.  The actions were recommended by the Scottish Government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG).

Today's announcement is backed by an initial £328,000 worth of investment from government and group members, including an additional caseworker/solicitor in Glasgow provided by Govan Law Centre.

Measures include increasing emergency accommodation and support in areas with the greatest numbers of rough sleepers, making personal budgets available to front line workers to meet immediate housing needs, and supporting greater use of the emergency Nightstop service.

HARSAG member, and GLC's Principal Solicitor, Mike Dailly said: "No-one should have to sleep rough this winter and these additional resources will make a real difference. All public and third sector agencies have a part to play this winter if we are to realise the ambition of making rough sleeping rare and unnecessary in Scotland. This is a key step towards delivering the First Minister’s commitment to eradicating rough sleeping in Scotland".

Further details of the new actions for this winter are available here, and include:

• Increased emergency accommodation in Edinburgh, and increased outreach capacity in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen
• Multi-agency partnership working boosted, adopting ‘by name lists’ and empowering front line workers through direct access to services and dedicated accommodation
• Making personal budgets and/or flexible emergency fund available for front line staff to employ where maximum flexibility is required to meet immediate housing needs
• At times of extreme weather, ensure flexible provision is available in Edinburgh and Glasgow for anyone who will not use winter night shelters, despite all efforts
• Maximise use of Nightstop – which provide young people with emergency accommodation for up to 2 weeks in the homes of approved volunteers – in Edinburgh and support implementation in Glasgow by January 2018

Tackling rough sleeping this winter: new actions in Scotland welcomed by Govan Law Centre

GLC's Principal Solicitor appointed to Scottish Government's Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Action Group

A panel of homelessness experts from across Scotland met for the first time yesterday (5 October 2017)  as work to address the challenges of rough sleeping, and how temporary accommodation can best be utilised, officially got underway.

Announced as part of the Programme for Government last month, the short-term Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group came together with the immediate task of outlining urgent recommendations to minimise rough sleeping this winter.

The group, which draws on expertise from across the sector, will examine how the Scottish Government’s commitment to end rough sleeping can be achieved and how best a new £50 million fund can support this.  Membership of the Action Group includes:

• Jon Sparkes, chief executive, Crisis (chair)
• Russell Barr, former moderator, Church of Scotland
• Maggie Brunjes, Glasgow Homelessness Network
• Mike Dailly, Govan Law Centre
• David Duke, Street Soccer Scotland
• Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Heriot Watt University
• Josh Littlejohn, Social Bite
• Lorraine McGrath, Simon Community Scotland/Street Wise
• Susanne Miller, Glasgow City Council
• John Mills, Fife Council & ALACHO
• Shona Stephen, Queens Cross Housing Association
• Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: "The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group will be recommending immediate steps we can take to minimise rough sleeping, both this winter and for good, as well as ways to transform temporary accommodation. The members bring a wide range of expertise, experience and enthusiasm and I know they will provide invaluable advice".

"The group will be engaging with all partners who deal with homelessness, including in local authorities and the third sector, so we can harness the wealth of knowledge available. We are committed to ending rough sleeping, preventing homelessness, and transforming outcomes for those who experience it. The action group and the new £50m fund are important steps in achieving this."

GLC's Principal Solicitor appointed to Scottish Government's Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Action Group