Edinburgh Council Plans to Relocate Homeless Residents Out of City
Edinburgh’s Growing Homelessness Issue
Edinburgh Council now faces a growing toll of homeless people. The council sees many residents living in temporary spots that do not have a license. Around 650 people live in properties that fail the HMO rules. The Covid-19 change made the need for rooms grow fast. The city then used hotels and B&Bs to fill this gap. This plan will soon end when the rules demand licensed homes by November 2024. Proposed Actions to Address Licensing Compliance
Derek McGowan, head of Housing and Homelessness at the council, noted that nearly 10% of those in unlicensed homes may need to move outside Edinburgh. This step will take place if proper licensed rooms cannot be found by 30 November. The council has found 70 properties in nearby areas, each within 50 miles of the city, to fill the gap for a short time.
"We need to plan for it," said McGowan. He trusts that all will get safe homes, mostly from local rentals. He made clear that homes outside the city will only be used as a last option and for a short span.
Regulatory Changes and Compliance Measures
At the start of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020, the council allowed an increase in unlicensed spaces to cope with the health emergency. Many property owners were given a chance to host homeless residents without an HMO license. Even though many inspections checked for safety, about 30 landlords did not file for the needed licenses. This action led the council to stop funding these providers by early December 2024. Edinburgh Council now faces both legal and financial issues. Supporting homeless residents in unlicensed properties now breaks the council’s own safety rules. The council has also put the process for social housing on hold while it works on the unlicensed HMO issue—a move that makes the situation tougher.
Future Steps and Housing Trends
To face the problem, the council brought 174 void council homes back into use. It expects to add another 120 homes if pending HMO license applications are approved. These steps come amid strong pressure to house a growing number of homeless people.
In May, many homes were needed when more people appeared after events like Taylor Swift concerts. Such events stressed the local housing system while extra demands came from outside.
Edinburgh’s case shows a wider trend in the UK. Local councils must follow the rules while meeting fast needs. This path changes matters for both property owners and investors in HMOs.
Conclusion: A Need for Immediate Action
Edinburgh must make big changes to meet HMO rules and help its homeless residents. With money and law issues weighing on the council, key people must watch how these shifts affect the community.
With November fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether the city can manage the housing challenge while following the rules.
Sources:
- BBC News – Edinburgh Council Plans for Homelessness
- Scottish Government – HMO Licensing Guidance
- Edinburgh City Council – Housing and Homelessness Services
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.
