Former Moderator welcomes pledge to end rough sleeping
Published on 7 March 2018 3 minutes read
A former Moderator who has spent nearly 20 years campaigning against homelessness has welcomed a Scottish Government decision to accept proposals to eradicate rough sleeping.
Very Rev Dr Russell Barr, a member of the government's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, said its recommendations represented an "important first step".
The measures accepted by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart include a national system of rapid rehousing, involving integrated support from frontline outreach services and local authorities.
This will include moving to a ‘Housing First' model for those with most complex needs – where people move straight into a permanent, settled home rather than temporary accommodation.
In December, £328,000 was invested to support additional capacity for night shelters and extra staff to help get more people into accommodation over winter.
The Scottish Government will now provide a further £150,000 to continue to provide some services to the summer, while the latest recommendations are taken forward.
Impossible to imagine
Dr Barr, who set up a charity in Edinburgh called Fresh Start in 1999 to help people who had been homeless turn a new tenancy into a home, said: "I am delighted that Mr Stewart has accepted our proposals and provided funding to ensure the recommendations are put into action.
"This is an important first step on what I hope and pray will be a series of co-ordinated efforts to end the blight of homelessness in 21st century Scotland.
"Although it only represents the tip of the homelessness iceberg, the sight of people sleeping rough in shop doorways and park benches is awful beyond words.
"As everyone who took part in Social Bite's 'Big Sleep Out', last December in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, one night spent in the freezing cold was bad enough.
"It is impossible to imagine what it must be like to spend night after night , especially over these last few days."
Dr Barr used his time in office as Moderator (2016-17) to campaign for an end to homelessness.
Blueprint
Mr Stewart said: "As we come out of a particularly bad winter period, the action group's work so far has been vital in ensuring front-line staff are supported and that people are helped to move into safe and warm places to stay.
"Additional funding will allow the work that has taken place in our main cities to continue while we take the group's hard work forward.
"I was extremely impressed by the fast and effective work of organisations supporting those sleeping rough during last week's unprecedented and extreme winter weather and want to thank everyone involved for the work and commitment they have shown.
"It is now important that we build on this good work and these latest recommendations provide a blueprint to do that and reach our national priority to eradicate rough sleeping for good."
Action group chair and chief executive of Crisis UK, Jon Sparkes, said no one in Scotland should have to endure the "danger and indignity" of sleeping rough.
"The members of the action group have gone above and beyond to dedicate themselves to bringing forward the right recommendations that will have the biggest impact on the way people sleeping rough can access and receive services," he added.
"The group members have engaged colleagues across the sector, reviewed international evidence on what works, and listened to people from across the country who have experience of homelessness."
Political will
Mr Sparkes said rough sleeping in Scotland can be ended.
"Other countries and cities around the world have done it, so we know it's possible," he added.
"With the right political will and momentum, we can make this a reality in Scotland too."