Housing

Scottish Government announces £50 million fund to tackle homelessness

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the Scottish Government is to set up a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, backed with £50 million over five years to "eradicate rough sleeping"

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addresses the Scottish parliament.

The Scottish Government has today committed to invest £10 million a year over five years to tackle homelessness north of the border, with a specific focus on prevention and tackling the root causes of homelessness.

Speaking in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the £50million fund, and confirmed that the government is to set up a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group tasked with eradicating of rough sleeping.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament: “Scotland has a good record on housing – we are building social housing at a faster rate than any other part of the UK and we have protected social housing by removing the right to buy.

We must eradicate rough sleeping.

“However, as Westminster austerity and welfare cuts take their toll, we are seeing worrying signs of an increase in homelessness and rough sleeping. We are not prepared to tolerate that.

“Let me restate today a conviction that I hope will unite all of us. It is not acceptable for anyone to have to sleep rough on our streets. We must eradicate rough sleeping.

We will invest to help tackle some of the underlying problems which so often drive homelessness

“However, in setting that national objective, we also must recognise that it requires more than just housing. Every individual has unique needs and challenges. We will therefore establish a short life expert group to make urgent recommendations on the actions, services and legislative changes required to end rough sleeping and transform the use of temporary accommodation.

“To support its recommendations, we will establish a new £10 million a year ‘Ending Homelessness Together’ Fund. And we will invest an additional £20 million a year in alcohol and drug services, to help tackle some of the underlying problems which so often drive homelessness.

Homelessness and housing charities welcomed the news.

Last year, a household became homeless every 19 minutes in Scotland

Adam Lang, Head of Communications and Policy at Shelter Scotland, said: “The announcement of a new action group to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping is extremely welcome.

A stark message on homeless deaths was emblazoned on the empty BHS in Glasgow

“The challenges facing this new action group are significant. Last year, a household became homeless every 19 minutes in Scotland and tomorrow morning more than 6,000 children will wake up without a permanent home of their own.

“The need for action is urgent and we look forward to working with the new group to quickly deliver changes on the ground to see improved support for those currently enduring or at risk of homelessness.”

“I warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s renewed commitment to tackling homelessness and their £50million investment in finding solutions to this issue,” added Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis. “Banishing rough sleeping from our streets is an ambition we fully support and chimes with our intention to produce a plan to end homelessness in Scotland for good.

“The use of temporary accommodation in Scotland is on the rise and at Crisis we have particular concerns about the number of individuals left to languish for months in unsuitable forms of temporary accommodation, without access to cooking facilities the use of a washing machine or no bathroom of their own.

“Our members tell us living in limbo like this can have an impact on their confidence, state of mind and ability to find or sustain work. Crisis looks forward to the opportunity to work with the Scottish Government to ensure Councils provide the same rights to all homeless people and are supported into permanent accommodation as quickly as possible.”

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

ONS U-turns on plan to stop publishing data on deaths of homeless people after furious outcry
homeless deaths
homelessness

ONS U-turns on plan to stop publishing data on deaths of homeless people after furious outcry

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know