Homeless Network Scotland: Briefing October 2024

Posted Tuesday 15th October by Admin User

Connect, learn and act on homelessness with the Homeless Network Scotland's Network Briefing for October. 

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In this article:

Opinion: homelessness data reveals a breach of trust 

An 8% rise in live homelessness cases nationwide to 31,870 and a 9% rise in people stuck in temporary accommodation. More than 10,00 children living in flats, hotels and B&Bs. While councils 11 and 12, Aberdeen and East Renfrewshire, declare a local housing emergency. 

Read a comment piece by Homeless Network Scotland Chief Executive Maggie Brünjes following the publication of annual homelessness statistics by the Scottish Government. 

Blue Light Card boost for hard-pressed homelessness workforce  

Scotland’s homelessness and housing workers are now eligible for Blue Light Card discounts. The move highlights their hard work and results from Blue Light Card’s partnership with the Royal Foundation’s Homewards initiative. Staff in Aberdeen were honoured at an event attended by motivational speaker Gail Porter, Street Soccer Scotland founder David Duke and Homewards founder Prince William.

The entire workforce is eligible to join BLC, and staff from HNS member organisations are pre-approved. 

This benefit is well-timed: the Frontline Network’s 2024 Worker Survey shows that more than half of staff in homelessness struggle to pay bills and 51% ‘always’ or ‘often’ feel at risk of burnout. Read the full report. 

Meanwhile, a research project at Cardiff University is to examine stress levels in the homelessness workforce. Staff at UK-based organisations are invited to complete a survey for the project. Participants can enter a prize draw to win a £50 or £100 voucher as a thank you. 

Report: the humanitarian crisis in Scotland caused by UK immigration policy

Deliberately hostile UK immigration policy is driving extreme destitution for people who have come to Scotland to seek sanctuary or start a new life.  

Destitution by Design: righting the wrongs of UK immigration policy in Scotland, a report by Heriot-Watt University’s I-SPHERE institute evaluating the work of Fair Way Scotland, reveals a growing humanitarian crisis among people often hidden from view.  

It found 97% of people with no or limited access to public funds because of their immigration status are destitute; 93% have experienced homelessness. People surveyed for the report said hunger is the norm and a third had no income at all in the previous month. 

The Fair Way Scotland partnership works to mitigate hardship in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen by providing casework support, cash payments, support and accommodation. Read the report, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which includes a series of urgent recommendations for all levels of government. 

Lead author Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe sets out the scale of destitution highlighted by the report in a powerful comment piece for The Herald. 

An opinion piece for Inside Housing by Homeless Network Scotland’s Jamie Milne argues that more must be done across the public sphere to address the crisis. 

And last week, following a parliamentary event to highlight the report’s findings, Green MSP Maggie Chapman lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament welcoming publication of the report. Read it here. 

Housing Bill: latest opinion  

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee have given their support to homelessness prevention duties in the Housing Bill. However, the committee raises concerns over lack of detail and support and training needed for full implementation, and members have asked the Scottish Government for assurances that they will explore all options to ensure ‘Ask and Act’ works in practice. Read the committee’s Stage One report. 

Meanwhile, a review of the proposals by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) warns: “Whilst State effort to strengthen the prevention of homelessness is a welcome step in the progressive realisation of the right to housing, the Commission expresses a degree of caution if adequate resourcing is not available, including housing stock, meaning that the obligations are not deliverable in practice.” 

And for a legal perspective on the changes social landlords and tenants should expect in the Bill, read an opinion piece in Scottish Housing News by Thorntons associate Sarah Cooper. 

No Wrong Door is open for learning and action 

No Wrong Door is an action learning partnership working to design a national blueprint for joined-up services, so people who face severe and overlapping disadvantage can find the support they need across sectors more easily – and have better experiences. A truly brilliant national panel of experts who will oversee this 2-year test of change met for the first time in Edinburgh as the programme launched. Read the No Wrong Door briefing and the 3-minute video version. 

 

New training: Tackling homelessness stigma

We’re pleased to share a new training opportunity that will benefit people working in homelessness and housing, and any other role that involves interaction with people experiencing housing insecurity. This half-day online course will give you or your team the skills and confidence to challenge the pervasive stigma around homelessness.

Email hello@homelessnetwork.scot to add yourself to the waiting list; we’ll reserve your spot and get in touch when the course dates are announced.

Child poverty report: 1 million UK children living in destitution 

Empty Plates and Cold Homes, a report from Barnardo’s, contains shocking findings on child poverty – the key indicator of homelessness in later life. The report reveals that more than 1 in 4 children live in poverty, with one million living in destitution. A specific focus of the research is how poverty affects the ability of families to afford food and fuel. Read the findings. 

 

Deep dive into Scotland’s inequality landscape 

Health and socioeconomic divides in Scotland are highlighted in new research from the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit, following an earlier review by the Health Foundation. The report contains key information on homelessness trends and housing inequalities and looks to what needs to be done to aid positive change. 

 

Student housing in crisis 


A severe shortage of student housing in Scotland is being driven by rising student numbers and the imbalance between supply and demand. Rising higher education costs and a lack of affordable housing options contribute to student housing insecurity and homelessness. A new report from the Cross-Party Group on Housing looks at ways to tackle the problem. 

 

Scottish Housing Day: the homes and support we need for every stage in life 

How can the housing sector support people to live well – particularly in later life? To mark Scottish Housing Day, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland and partners launched a report to address that question. Homes for Life highlights the importance of accessible housing and other support as our population ages.  

Housing Options Scotland has produced a handbook to help people consider their future housing needs. 

Data: effective interventions that improve welfare of people  


The latest evidence and gap map from the Centre for Homelessness Impact contains all available studies on effective interventions to improve the lives of people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The annual resource provides data on interventions across sectors and the outcomes they achieve – for example housing stability – from Scotland, UK and beyond. 

 

Video: What can we learn about the ‘ideal landlord’ from Romania's new rental market?  


As a new rental market emerges in Romania, a research project has invited members of the public to define what makes an ideal landlord. A blog and accompanying video from University of Glasgow and University of Bucharest Research Fellow Dr Adriana Mihaela Soaita shares insights captured for the project. 

 

Reforms help private renters –but more safeguards required 

The RentBetter research project from 2019 to 2024 looked at the impact of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, which introduced significant reforms to the private rented sector. It highlights how significant changes to private rented legislation have delivered improvements but emphasises the urgent need for stronger measures to ensure renters are protected. Read more in the final report. 

 

Digital exclusion: how it harms people and how to tackle it 


So many aspects of our daily lives moved online during the pandemic. It’s a boon in many ways but the downside is an increase in digital exclusion, as highlighted in an Audit Scotland report that reveals 15% of adults lack the digital skills needed for everyday life. The report sets out what must be done to make sure no one in our communities is marginalised by technology. 

 

Join the Homelessness Covenant 


The Homelessness Covenant, developed by Crisis and the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and DLUHC (Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities), is a pledge by employers to prevent and end homelessness through inclusive and supportive employment practices. Register your interest. 

 

 

Dogs Trust Christmas Parcel Service 


Dogs Trust Together Through Homelessness (TTH) are accepting orders for their free annual Christmas Parcel Service, providing goodies to homelessness services across the country. Parcels include a selection of doggie items (ranging from treats, toys, collars, leads or coats) for your clients with dogs this winter.

Order before 16 October using this link.

University of Edinburgh Homeless and Inclusion Health Masters/CPD course 

Registrations are open for the University of Edinburgh’s Homelessness and Inclusion Health Masters/CPD course which runs from mid-January. The course, hosted by the Centre for Homelessness and Inclusion Health, involves guest lectures from homelessness, health and social care sector representatives. See on campus course and on-line course. Contact Professor Sarah Johnsen (sarah.johnsen@ed.ac.uk) with any enquiries. Registrations close on 30 November. 

Time for a new role in housing? 


Housing Justice is looking for a confident, established professional with extensive knowledge and networks across housing in Scotland, who is comfortable navigating faith spaces for the Faith in Affordable Housing project.  The project will run for 15 months, with the possibility of extension, subject to funding. Find out more details and how to apply. 

‘Homeless World Cup transforms the lives of players’ 


Former Korea Republic international and Korean Professional Footballers Association (KPFA) co-president Keun-ho Lee talks about his role as Chairperson for the Homeless World Cup in Seoul and why this global event is so important in this conversation piece.