Efforts continue to help homeless during lockdown

Wheatley housing group has helped 1,800 homeless people put a roof over their heads during the coronavirus crisis, it has revealed in a new report.  

Scotland’s largest housing association has worked with the Scottish Government, local authority partners and other agencies to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

Wheatley Care also supports more than 2000 homeless people in temporary accommodation across central Scotland, helping them make a go of their home and engage with their communities. Since the start of the pandemic, that support has also included everything from emergency food parcels and furniture to mobile phones.

The moves are the latest examples of Wheatley Group’s continuing commitment to tackling homelessness and supporting some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.

Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, and instrumental in setting up Housing First, said: “Wheatley continues to lead from the front in helping tackle homelessness across the country. 

“Support from Wheatley has made such a difference to so many people’s lives, particularly since the start of the pandemic.

“Their commitment to providing housing to Scotland's homeless population has made real inroads into tackling rough sleeping.

“Wheatley's generous support of Social Bite has also helped us distribute over 500,000 meals to vulnerable people when it was needed most.”

Martin Armstrong, Wheatley chief executive, said: “We are doing all we can to support people in greatest need in our communities, and particularly the homeless.

“We have worked closely with our partners in the Scottish Government and local authorities across the country, on initiatives such as Housing First, which we’ve supported from the beginning. 

“The importance of everyone having a warm, safe and secure home should never be underestimated.

“As Scotland’s largest housing, care and property-management group, we will continue to use our size and scale to help the most vulnerable people in society.”