​Funding boost for homeless families with young children

Homeless families in Edinburgh with young children have been boosted by a new service.

Building Families will support those in the capital who have children under 11 and are affected by homelessness.

A collaboration between Shelter Scotland and Children 1st, the project will deliver a range of personalised support packages designed to help family relationships and support tenancies and is funded by £400,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Three and a half full-time support posts have been created to deliver the project.

Homelessness is known to have a drastic impact on children’s development and life chances.

Alison Watson, deputy director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Educational and social development are key to a child’s long-term health and wellbeing, so by supporting children to make the most of their family life, schooling and leisure time, Building Families will make a real difference to the life chances of all those it works with.”

Anna O’Reilly, Children 1st assistant director, added: "We are delighted that through this partnership we will be able to reach and support more children and families.

“Shelter Scotland’s experience and expertise will be of great benefit to children whose families’ housing issues mean they are living in very difficult and stressful circumstances."