Edinburgh City Council Sets New Plan for Homeless Housing

Edinburgh City Council now changes its approach for temporary homes for homeless people. Starting November 30, the council will stop using houses without a local license as short-term shelters. This step matters now as about 650 people live in places that lack the proper license.

Rising Demand for Temporary Housing

After the COVID-19 crisis, the need for short-term shelter grew fast. The council used hotels and small guest houses because more people needed safe places. This choice brought legal worries. Council rules say that any shared home must hold a valid license. Not having one puts the council at risk of breaking the law.

Derek McGowan, who runs housing and homeless services, said they plan to use homes outside the city if needed. He believes there will be enough licensed homes in the city as well. "I believe we have room for everyone affected by this change," he said, stressing the focus on using council homes first.

External Homes for Temporary Housing

The council has nearly 70 houses from nearby areas that are less than 50 miles away. If local licensed homes are not enough by the deadline, about 10% of people in unlicensed living spaces might move to these other homes. McGowan said this plan is a last step and will only work for a short while. The aim is to return people to local homes as soon as possible.

Legal and Safety Challenges

At the start of the new crisis, the council approved unlicensed homes to act fast. Now, that choice comes with legal issues because the council pays for homes that do not have a license. Soon, the council will stop paying landlords who do not follow the rules. The council will also pause new local housing requests. This plan helps the council follow safety laws and avoid legal problems from using unlicensed guest houses and hotels for shelter.

Steps Toward Following the Rules and More Homes

The council has made changes to its housing website, EdIndex. Homeless people use the site to bid for council homes. The site is on hold now because of high pressure. Fixes to the site are also paused until January. This pause will help free more empty homes for use. Recent reports say that about 174 empty homes are back in use, and another 120 may open soon if current providers get proper licenses on time.

Conclusion

Edinburgh faces a hard task as it meets new housing rules. The council works hard to give safe homes that match the law. The plan is to move everyone from unlicensed places into legal homes. As the deadline nears, the city will work to care for those in need and fix its housing plan. For property owners and those who study local laws, these changes mark a shift in the world of rental homes and local rules.

Sources:

• BBC News Scotland – Homeless could move from unlawful accommodation
• Edinburgh City Council Housing Strategy
• HMO Licensing Information

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