A ONE-week limit on temporary accommodation must be initiated to stop homeless Scots spending a “life in limbo”, a charity claims.
Holyrood will next month half the current 14-day maximum for families and pregnant women placed in unsuitable impermanent residences after filing a homelessness claim with local authorities.
But in a report published today, Crisis in Scotland say this must be extended to all those without homes.
The move, the charity says, would “ensure that Scotland retains its reputation as a world leader in tackling homelessness”.
Chief executive Jon Sparkes said: “We have some of the best homelessness legislation in the world, but we cannot become complacent.
“No one, no matter what their circumstance, should be forced to live without basic facilities for prolonged periods of time. The Life in Limbo campaign seeks to extend this vital legal protection, a seven-day time-limit on placement in unsuitable temporary accommodation to all homeless people, otherwise we risk having a two-tier system which runs counter to Scotland’s unique right-based approach to protecting people from homelessness.”
The move comes one day after Fiona King of Shelter Scotland told MSPs on the Local Government and Communities Committee that the average time spent in temporary accommodation such as a bed and breakfast is 24 weeks.
Calling for an improvement in standards, she also revealed how the specialist charity had aided a 16-year-old girl with a two-year-old child who had been offered a place in a Premier Inn by a motorway.
Meanwhile, Jules Oldham of Homeless Action Scotland said many placed in B&Bs were obliged to leave the properties between 8am and 5pm and lack cooking facilities.
One man, named only as Jamie, 41, told Crisis how he had spent 14 months in an Edinburgh B&B, stating: “There were three bathrooms, one on each floor, between 14 people and I only had access to the kitchen for three hours throughout the day. There were cameras everywhere, in the stairs, the lobby, the kitchen.”
He went on: “There was quite a high turnover of people with addiction or mental health issues, or that had just come out of prison. The different comings and goings of people had a real impact on how I felt in myself. My mental health deteriorated due to the stress.”
Yesterday committee convener Bob Doris revealed he and fellow MSPs will next week travel to Finland to learn from that country’s efforts to tackle the issue. The move comes after the Scottish Government named homelessness as a priority in its programme for government.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh football rivals Hearts and Hibs are to join a major anti-homelessness fundraiser in the capital this winter.
Sleep in the Park will include music from Liam Gallagher, Frightened Rabbit and Amy Macdonald and aims to raise £4 million to eradicate homelessness in a five year period.
As many as 9000 people are expected to join the city centre camp out in December, with the names of participating footballers to be announced nearer the time.
The drive is organised by Social Bite sandwich chain co-founder Josh Littlejohn, who is also the driving force behind a purpose-built village for homeless people taking shape in the city. Littlejohn said: “It is amazing to have the support of two of the biggest football clubs in Scotland and to bring these friendly rivals together for one night.”
Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge said: “This is an opportunity for the city of Edinburgh to come together.” Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster added: “We would encourage supporters to get behind Sleep in the Park in any way they can.”
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