Over 600 Children Across Central Scotland Homeless This Christmas

639 children in Central Scotland will face the winter in temporary accommodation as Scotland faces its worst Housing Crisis since the Second World War.

The shocking figures were announced by Shelter Scotland this week, showing that over 4,000 children in Scotland will be homeless this Christmas. The charity said a shortage of affordable social housing is the root cause of the problem.

The amount of children facing a homeless Christmas is enough to fill the Scottish Parliament chamber 32 times over and equivalent to more than two homeless children for every primary school in Scotland.

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon said the figures had to act as a wake-up call to the Scottish Government that Scotland is facing a social housing crisis, as nearly 180,000 people in Scotland sit on social housing waiting lists. She has also called for the Scottish Government to back Scottish Labour proposals for a National Housing Action Plan. 

Ms McMahon said “It is an absolute scandal that any child would spend Christmas homeless, but over 4,000 is nothing short of a national disgrace.

“With 639 children across Central Scotland facing Christmas in temporary accommodation it is time that the Scottish Government woke up to the fact that  Scotland is facing a full blown  housing crisis not seen since the Second World War.

“Despite this crisis, 23,000 homes across the country are lying empty, and the Scottish Government’s own figures have shown a 22% drop in social house building in the last year.

“This cannot continue to happen. If we are serious about fighting poverty and building a better country for every child in Scotland we need a National Housing Action Plan to deliver more social housing where it is needed, to those who most need it.”

To help support Shelter Scotland, people can visit shelterscotland.org or text to SHELTER 70123 and donate £3 to support their work

You can donate to the Shelter Scotland Christmas appeal here

Local authority figures attached

• As at 31^st March 2014, 179,954 people were on Council waiting lists (150,500 waiting; 29,500 transfer);

• The SNP slashed the capital budget for housing by 29% (in real terms) between 2008/09 and 2011/12; and

• There are an estimated 23,000 empty properties in Scotland.

Housing Statistics for Scotland  Quarterly Update – November 2014

• 22% drop in social housing completions in year end to September
• 9% drop in affordable housing completions in year end to September

 

 

 

 

 

Urgent Action Needed on Private Rents

Central Scotland Labour MSP Siobhan McMahon has called for a ban on rip off rent rises – and criticised the Scottish Government for backing rogue landlords instead of hard-pressed tenants.

Ms McMahon made her calls during a debate at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 3^rd December on Private Rented Reform. This follows Ms McMahon pledging her support to Shelter Scotland’s Make Renting Right Campaign, which aimed to make Scotland’s growing private rented sector fir for families and fairer for all by reforming the outdated private tenancy regime.

There are currently around 20,000 private renters across Central Scotland; 10,000 in North Lanarkshire, 6,000 in South Lanarkshire and 4,000 in Falkirk. The number of homes in the private rented sector living in poverty has more than doubled in a decade to over 100,000, with one in four Scots who live in poverty living in the private rented sector. Some parts of Scotland have seen rents rise by as much as 40% in the last 4 years.

During her speech Ms McMahon backed Shelter’s calls for more flexibility in tenancy agreements, and for action to be taken on the spiralling costs of private rents. She also backed Scottish Labour proposals to stop tenants being exploited by landlords imposing excessive rent hikes, plans that were voted down by the SNP.

Ms McMahon said “To hear that the number of people who are living in poverty in the private rented sector has doubled in the past decade should make all politicians extremely uncomfortable. That is why we need action now and that is why I ask the Scottish Government to support Shelter Scotland’s campaign and to back Scottish Labour’s proposals to introduce a bill on the private rented sector.

We want a bill to provide people with greater security of tenure and we wish to see a cap on rent rises. That would make a huge difference to tenants’ lives, and it could be legislated on quickly. But the SNP have now voted against our plans three times, despite their own expert welfare group recommending rent caps. Only Scottish Labour are willing to reform the market in Scotland to give Scots in the private rented sector some security and peace of mind.”

The Scottish Government’s own Expert Working Group on Welfare recommended rent caps:

“We believe it is important to strike the right balance between supporting a well-functioning private rental market and preventing excessive rents that can arise through pressures in the private rental sector in areas of high demand and low supply. This means looking at the nature of tenancies, for example, giving tenants in the private sector longer-term tenancies than generally exist at present, as well as building into tenancy agreements that rents should increase in line with inflation but not above it, at least for the duration of a tenancy.”

Source here.

Some parts of Scotland have seen rents rise by 40% in the last 4 years.

Source here.

Poverty in the private rented sector.

“The number of households in poverty in the PRS has doubled in the last decade to 120,000, while the number in social housing has almost halved to 190,000.”

“At the start of the 2000s, poverty in Scotland was predominantly in the social rented sector but this is no longer the case. Two fifths of households in poverty live in social housing, compared to three fifths a decade ago. Meanwhile a quarter live in the PRS, up from 1 in 10.”

Source here

You can read Ms McMahons speech in full here.

Backing the ‘Make Renting Right’ Campaign

I was pleased to back Shelter Scotland’s new national campaign, Make Renting Right, which aims to make Scotland’s growing private rented sector fit for families and fairer for all.

The Make Renting Right campaign, launched outside the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 28^th October, aims to raise awareness of and build public support for reforming the outdated private tenancy regime which sees too many households forced from pillar to post on short term rental agreements.

A chronic shortage of affordable social housing has driven more and more people into Scotland’s private rented sector, which is now home to 312,000 families and individuals, with more than 80,000 private lets now housing families with children. However, the sector’s outdated tenancy regime is not suited to providing a safe and secure environment for people to put down stable foundations in their communities.

It was disappointing that the SNP voted against Scottish Labour’s amendments to the recent Housing Bill which would have improved the position of tenants in the private rented sector. I sincerely hope that they seriously consider the aims of this campaign and take the action sooner rather than later.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, says:

“We want to see a private rented sector that is fit for families and protects all tenants – a sector that provides long-term homes, not short-term housing.

“Short-term tenancy agreements do not provide the stability and security individuals and, in particular, the more than 80,000 families with children need in order to live a settled life.

“Too often we hear of people being moved on, evicted or rents increased unreasonably, forcing people into the disruptive cycle of having to move house – every six months in some cases – preventing them from ever being able to put down strong roots and being part of a community.”

“In the 21^st century, we need a private rented sector that is modern, stable, flexible, predictable and fair for those individuals and families that call it home.

“The benefits of reform would not just be felt by tenants, however. Landlords too would see a more constant and predictable income with less downtime between rents and happier more stable relationships with their tenants.

“That’s why we are asking for people to support our campaign to positively reform the private rented sector and turn it into a place where the increasing numbers of people who rely on it can make a house a home and live with increased security and dignity.”

The Make Renting Right campaign from Shelter Scotland coincides with the Scottish Government’s consultation on proposals to reform tenancies in the private rented sector and builds on the charity’s previous campaigns in the sector.

Shelter Scotland’s key asks for reforming the sector include:

• A modern tenancy agreement that gives both tenants and landlords security
• More stability for people wanting to make rented housing their home
• Flexibility for those who want to stay in rented home to do so for as long as they want
• A better system for sorting out renting problems
• A structure for more predictable rent rises should they be required

 

Scottish Government must do more to tackle youth homelessness

On May 28th I spoke in an Equal Opportunities Committee debate on “Having and keeping a home: steps to preventing homelessness among young people” at the Scottish Parliament, where I called on the Government to do everything in its power to tackle youth homelessness.

The debate followed an enquiry and report which aimed to explore the existing good practice in local authorities and other agencies in and beyond Scotland which are effective in preventing youth homelessness.

I heard evidence from young people across the country about the principle causes of youth homelessness, including family breakdowns, addiction issues and mental health problems. The report stated that homeless young people are being failed by a lack of support in overcoming inadequate life skills, compounded by substandard accommodation and isolation.

I am sure that everyone would agree that it is scandalous that young people who are already in a vulnerable position are subjected to such low levels of housing provision. It is not acceptable that young people who have been forced into homelessness are treated in that manner.

Finance is of course the biggest barrier to action being taken. I hope that the government will take seriously the points highlighted by many members and that it will do everything in its power to ensure that no young person is denied a home, an education or the support they desperately need in the future as a result of a lack of funds afforded to them.

SNP must grasp opportunity to reform Community Care Grants

Last week’s Scottish Parliament debate on the “2012 target” (the commitment, laid down in 2003 by the previous Labour Executive, to eradicate “unintentional” homelessness by 2012), was a largely constructive affair.

Whilst members of all parties acknowleged the bravery and ambition of the target, they also recognised that progress towards realising it has been uneven across local authority boundaries, with some councils assessing 90% of applications as priority, and others only around 80%. The spirit of the commitment demands that it is achieved throughout Scotland: there is no room for homelessness in a modern, civilized society, irregardless of what part of the country you happen to live.

There is another aspect to this debate, however, which members failed to give voice to. Although it is generally accepted that the coalition’s Welfare Reform Bill will have a deleterious impact upon the attempt to reach our homelessness target, it has also presented the SNP Government with an opportunity to amend grants and provisions which, under the terms of the bill, will be devolved to Scotland. One such is the Community Care Grant.

In its current form, the Grant provides financial support for vulnerable applicants entering a new tenancy, providing them with a small but essential fund to purchase essential goods.

There are a number of problems with the grant in its current form. At present, applications to the grant are not accepted until notice of housing is received, causing a wholly unecessary delay. Under the successor arrangements, applicants should receive the grant along with the keys to their property. In addition to this, eligibility criteria for the grant, along with the appeals process, must be made simpler and more transparent. This will cut down on the volume of unecessary appeals and allow support workers to provide more accurate advice to applicants.

Finally, the ridiculous rules excluding those in receipt of other benefits – such as incapacity benefit – from applying for the grant must be removed. The grant should go to the neediest, whatever their circumstances.

I know that housing charities such as Ypeople, Quarriers and Shelter Scotland support these reforms, and I sincrely hope the Scottish Government has taken their well-informed views into account.

When I proposed these changes to the grant during a debate last december, Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, appeared receptive. I am anxious to learn what action has been taken in the interim.

 

Ypeople do themselves proud

Front row from Left to Right Scott Muir, Gary Murray, Thomas Oliver, Martyn Mackintosh, Back Row, Left to Right Joe Connolly, Caragh Spencer-Hicks, Jill Moss, Kate Donnelly, Isabel Canavan, Nadine McNeil, Margaret-Ann Stirrat, Maimie Rodgers, Martin McCardie, Siobhan McMahon ,

I recently visited Seaforth House, home to the Falkirk branch of Ypeople. Ypeople, formerly Glasgow YMCA, provides supported accomodation for young people affected by homelessness, helping them to find their feet, offering guidance and advice across a range of issues, and working to improve their confidence and self-esteem.

I was extremely impressed by the passion and commitment of the staff, and by the courage of the young residents, many of whom have experienced difficult circumstances.

Talking to the staff and residents gave me a real insight into the problems that affect young homeless people, and the strains on organisations like Ypeople which endeavour to help and support them.

This week I was pleased to be able to welcome staff and residents to the Scottish Parliament for a screening of “Speak Out”, a film written, directed, acted and produced by residents of Seaforth House. It is a brutal yet moving piece of work, which portrays some of life’s harsh realities without ever losing its sense of empathy.

The turn out for the screening was very good, and I was glad that some of my fellow MSPs managed to come along. I will certainly be encouraging those who could not to watch the film.

I would like to thank the residents and staff for coming to the Parliament, and to congratulate them all on their remarkable achievements. I would also like to congratulate everybody associated with Falkirk Ypeople, which this year celebrate its 10th anniversary, in recognition of which I have tabled a Scottish Parliament Motion.

Everyone should have a home

Siobhan with employees of Shelter Scotland

I was proud to sponsor a Shelter Scotland stall in the Scottish Parliament.

I could not agree more with the stall’s official slogan – Until there’s a home for everyone. Current economic difficulties notwithstanding, we remain an affluent 1st world society; it is therefore scandalous that anyone should be forced to live on the street, in hostels, or in cramped and inadequate temporary accomodation. Homelessness applications have risen dramatically over the last 10 years, with over 56,000 in 2010 alone. A considerable number of children and young people are afflicted by homelessness, and the Scottish Government is struggling to meet the legislative target of assessing all homelessness applications as priority, the deadline for which is this year.

There is no place for homelessness in the 21st century, and eradicating it should be a Scottish Government priority.

Housing Debate

I recently spoke in a debate on housing in the Scottish Parliament. There are currently about 56,000 homeless people in Scotland, 10,000 more than in the mid 1990’s, whilst 36% of homeless households include people under the age of 24.

The problem is especially acute in West and Central Scotland: figures for 2009/10 show that, of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, South Lanarkshire had the 4^th most homeless applications, with 3,054. North Lanarkshire was 5^th, with 2,975, and Falkirk 7th, with   2,378. Meanwhile, over 169,000 Scottish households are on council house waiting lists, and 53% of social housing in Scotland is situated in the 15% most deprived areas.

Under the terms of the “2012 Commitment” all homelessness applications must be assessed as priority. In effect, this means all homeless applicants must be housed. Depending on which document you read, the SNP Government has either pledged to build 6000 socially rented homes or 6000 “affordable” homes in each year of the Scottish Parliament. However, SNP spending plans reveal that only 1550 socially rented homes will be built this year, along with 1000 for owner occupiers.  This leaves a shortfall of over 3000. It is difficult to see how councils will clear their council house waiting lists, let alone meet the 2012 commitment.

 I recently visited Barnado’s Youth Housing Support Service in North Lanarkshire, which provides crisis intervention and group work support to young people aged between 16-24 years. Many of these young people have suffered physical abuse, and problems with drug and alcohol addiction. Their need for a stable and supportive home cannot be overstated.

During the debate I called on the Scottish Government to reform the Community Care Grant to ensure that it is consistently and correctly applied across the country, and that everything is done to help vulnerable young people secure long term homes that are safe, warm, and fully furnished. I am pleased to report that Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Capital Investment and Infrastructure, has pledged to ‘look seriously at these suggestions to see whether we can take them forward.’