The quality of accommodation and services for homeless people is already slipping with further cuts on the horizon
Accommodation and services for homeless people are dramatically deterioriating leaving vulnerable people at risk, a major housing charity has warned.
Shelter Scotland says there has be little recent investment in accommodation for homeless people and warned things are only going to get worse as the budget for temporary accommodation is cut next year.
Researchers for Shelter, which spoke with 15 local authorities as part of the Funding Homeless Services in Scotland report, say councils expressed worries that standards will deteriorate if repairs and maintenance are neglected because of budget constraints.
A number of authorities also said they think the reduction in homelessness applications seen over the last decade has now plateaued and that they fear the number of people applying will begin to rise again soon.
The charity is calling on the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to find new ways of funding and protecting homelessness services including creating a new national strategy on homelessness.
It’s unthinkable that we now face a situation where much of the progress made in Scotland over the last decade could be undone
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “If nothing changes then something has to give. Our fear is that, due to underfunding, the quality of accommodation for homeless people and the services they receive will deteriorate, in effect, failing some of the most vulnerable people in our society at the very time they most need help.
“The Scottish Government and COSLA need to find a new funding model that recognises and supports the full cost of providing good quality temporary accommodation and delivering world-class homelessness services.”
In 2015-16, 34,662 homeless applications were made in Scotland. As of March 2016 10,555 households were in temporary accommodation, including 5,224 children.
The main source of income for funding homelessness services are rent and service charges and councils’ general fund – which is made up of council tax and Scottish Government block funding – meaning although local authorities have a duty to house people who are homeless budgets are not ring-fenced and therefor are not protected from funding cuts to local authorities.
Next year, further UK government changes to the way temporary accommodation is funded will see it linked to the Local Housing Allowance, leading to a significant reduction in the money local authorities receive to pay for temporary accommodation. The Scottish Government has predicted this could lead to a £25m shortfall.
Brown continued: “It’s unthinkable that we now face a situation where much of the progress made in Scotland over the last decade to combat the human tragedy of homelessness could be undone.
“We can’t let that happen. A way must be found to stop the cuts and maintain and build our homelessness services.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said it was doing everything it can to make sure everyone has access to a warm and safe place to stay.
He added: “Along with our partners, we have made clear our concerns to the UK government about the potential undermining of this progress, due to its proposed changes to the funding of temporary and some supported accommodation.
“We are also increasing housing supply, and are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes backed by over £3 billion investment during the lifetime of this parliament.
“We are now asking organisations like Shelter to take part in our social security consultation which will be the foundation for how we use our new powers.”
