Homelessness falls by a third in Edinburgh

Published on Tuesday 23 February 2010 21:42

THE number of people sleeping rough in Scotland's capital has fallen dramatically in the past few years, official figures have revealed.

A major study has also found the number of registered homeless people in Edinburgh is falling, despite fears from officials about the impact of the recession.

Council leaders said the figures showed their policies on homelessness were working.

Some 4,600 people have been given temporary accommodation in Edinburgh this financial year – down 6 per cent from last year and 17 per cent from three years ago.

The council relies on charities and support groups for homeless people to help monitor numbers of people sleeping rough. These are said to have dropped from 342 in April-September 2008 to 221 over the same period last year.

Councillor Paul Edie, the city's housing leader, said: "We think these figures are outstanding, considering that we have been working through the economic downturn over the last 18 months. There is absolutely no need for anybody to be sleeping rough in the city.

"We'll find accommodation for anyone needing accommodation, in either a B&B or hostel."

In his report, council housing director Mark Turley said: "Over the past year the economic environment in which we are operating has changed. The country has been in recession with unemployment increasing and the risk of homelessness becoming greater for many.

"Monitoring has not yet shown an increase in the number of homes repossessed or an increase in the numbers seeking housing advice. However, it is likely repossessions will increase as people lose jobs and find themselves unable to keep up payments."

Housing leaders have warned that although there has been no rise in repossessions in the capital, the city is likely to need more than 15,800 "affordable" homes built in the next ten years. Mr Turley said although housebuilding had almost "ground to a halt", house prices remained among the most expensive anywhere in the UK.

He also warned that the level of public sector investment needed to build the affordable homes needed was "unlikely to be available".

The council joined forces with the Edinburgh Cyrenians charity to launch a new homelessness prevention service last April to help people resolve debt issues, problems with landlords or mortgage providers, and offer advice to people with health issues, or those feeling lonely or isolated.

Trained personal advisers are able to meet people to talk through the problems they are facing and work out a strategy to prevent homelessness.

Last month, the council came under fire from Ivan Artolli, the manager of the five-star Balmoral Hotel, over the amount of begging in the city. Mr Artolli claimed it was the worst in Europe.