Campaigners for homeless hold summit

housing experts from around the world are gathering in Edinburgh for a summit on homelessness.

The conference tomorrow, organised by Shelter Scotland, will focus on progress towards meeting Scotland’s commitment to give every unintentionally homeless person the legal right to a home by the end of this year.

Shelter said the 2012 target is internationally regarded as at the cutting edge of homelessness reform.

Scotland has already hosted visits from France, Finland, Australia and North America to share the lessons learned in the lead-up to the commitment. France has recently agreed its own target, inspired by Scotland. Among the speakers at the summit will be White House adviser Dr Dennis P Culhane and Housing Minister Keith Brown.

Shelter Scotland director Graeme Brown said: “Scotland is leading the way in progressive homelessness legislation and has received international acclaim for its ground-breaking reforms. This year marks a huge step towards eradicating homelessness in Scotland and further afield.”