Edinburgh Council Plans to Rehouse Homeless Residents Amid Licensing Changes

Economic Factors Underscore Need for Action

Edinburgh faces a hard housing crisis. Covid-19 made the need even worse. The council now plans a new housing scheme. This plan may move some homeless people outside the city. The scheme tackles problems with unlicensed temporary homes. The council uses many hotel and B&B rooms for shelter. Most of these homes do not have an HMO licence. The licence checks safe living and clear rules.

Derek McGowan, head of Housing and Homelessness, said about 650 people live in unlicensed places. They miss the safety checks of an HMO setting. The council will stop paying these providers by early December. It expects nearly 10% of those housed may move beyond Edinburgh.

Temporary Moves for Long-Term Solutions

McGowan said the council has found around 70 extra homes in nearby areas. These rooms sit within 50 miles of Edinburgh. He said, "I am sure everyone can find a place to stay." The council fears that if not enough new homes come by November 30, more moves may occur.

The plan may ease the pressure for now. The council will first use housing already in the city that meets all rules. "We will use every safe and licensed home we get," McGowan explained. This step is part of a wider plan to meet HMO laws while helping many families and individuals. The actions come as high demand meets strict rules.

HMO Licensing: A Legal Obligation

The city leaned on unlicensed homes during the lockdown in March 2020. At that time, the council opened many temporary places. New rules now force a change. Officials work to shift unlicensed sites into properly licensed homes. Some 30 landlords did not register under HMO rules. This gap makes the council fix its legal work.

The high demand for homes led the council to stop new social housing requests. It also paused non-essential repairs until January. The focus has moved to turning empty houses into active homes. McGowan said around 174 void council homes reopened in recent weeks. Soon, another 120 units might come online as licensing moves ahead.

Broader Implications and Future Steps

Changing to proper, licensed homes may help many live better. The quick shift to legal settings brings work for both the council and those they serve. Past events have shown that sudden needs force the council to move people. For example, a big concert made hotels fill fast and pushed the city to act quickly. The council now works to meet legal rules while housing vulnerable people. It faces two tasks: follow the law and help protect those without a home. Observers will watch closely as the plan moves forward.

Conclusion

Edinburgh stands at a key point where fast work is needed to meet the housing crisis. As the council makes new plans, some homeless people may move outside the city while the council sets up proper temporary homes. This situation shows the need to balance fast work with strict adherence to rules. Community advocates and stakeholders will watch as the plan unfolds. The challenge of homelessness calls for fresh ideas and joint work.

For updates on this evolving situation, you can stay informed through platforms such as the BBC News, Edinburgh Live, and The Edinburgh Evening News.

Sources

• BBC News: Homeless could move from unlawful B&Bs and hotels
• The Scotsman: Edinburgh council prepares to halt payments to unlicensed accommodation
• Edinburgh Evening News: Crisis in homeless accommodation in Edinburgh

Disclaimer: This article has been generated by AI based on the latest news from Google News sources. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying key details from official reports.