Homelessness Crisis in Edinburgh: Council Plans Relocation Amid Licensing Issues
Edinburgh, UK – November 22, 2024 – The City of Edinburgh Council now plans to move some homeless people out of the city. The council faces problems with unlicensed temporary housing. Hotels and bed and breakfasts now serve as shelters even though they do not meet the rules for Houses of Multiple Occupation.
Rising Demand for Temporary Accommodation
After the Covid-19 pandemic began, the council acted fast to build new housing. They opened hundreds of rooms in different hotels and B&Bs. More people needed shelter, and today about 650 individuals live in housing that lacks proper licensing.
Derek McGowan, Service Director for Housing and Homelessness, said a backup plan exists. Roughly 10% of these residents might go to homes outside the city if new spaces are not found by November 30. The council has a list of 70 homes from nearby local authorities. All these homes lie within a 50-mile range from Edinburgh.
Legal Compliance and Challenges
The council must obey strict housing rules. When unlicensed housing first opened in March 2020, the need for shelter was high. Over time, the rules have grown tighter.
The council must stop payments to unlicensed providers by early December. Safety concerns and financial limits drive this change. With roughly 30 landlords not fixing their licensing, the council must act quickly.
Addressing the Homelessness Need
The council put social housing applications on hold. It also stopped ads for empty homes on the EdIndex portal, a tool that helps homeless individuals bid on available places. Repairs to non-urgent council homes have also paused. Funds now go to bringing empty homes back into use.
A recent check showed that about 174 void council homes now serve those in need. Plans call for more than 120 extra spaces once current legal checks pass.
Derek McGowan said, "I’m confident there will be a place for everyone affected by this stay." He also acknowledged the need for a plan to move people if new homes are not ready. The goal is to return everyone quickly once these temporary measures end.
A Historical Perspective on Accommodation Challenges
Earlier, Edinburgh moved homeless people for big tourism events. For instance, Taylor Swift concerts left many without proper hotel space. These events pushed up demand for shelter.
The council now faces two tasks. It must give proper housing to the homeless and follow housing laws at the same time. As it plans moves outside of the city, the council works to use available homes and find spaces that obey the rules.
Sources
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