1. May 2012 Homelessness in Scotland This presentation covers  Who becomes homeless in Scotland?  What does being homeless mean?  Attitudes to homeless people  Roles of different organisations  The Scottish Government’s homelessness target

2. May 2012 Homelessness in Scotland 55,227 households became homeless in Scotland last year - about 90,000 individuals. In 1990 it was 35,100 households - approx two-thirds of today’s figure This is one in every 56 people in Scotland.

3. May 2012 Who becomes homeless? ANYONE! But… it’s more likely if:  You’re on your own  You’re young and inexperienced  You have a drink or drug problem  You have health problems, including mental health  You have a learning disability  You’ve lived in an institution  You’ve experienced abuse  You’re unemployed And if you’re poor, you have fewer options

4. May 2012

5. Attitudes to homeless people Some of the things people get called:  Alkie/druggie  Down and out  Scrounger  Gyppo People make mean assumptions – reinforced by attitudes common in the media

6. May 2012 So what makes a home?…  Shelter, comfort, amenities  Privacy & sense of belonging  Security & stability  Affordability  Community

7. May 2012 What’s it like to be homeless?  Boredom  Poor mental and physical health  Pressure/stress  Labelled  Marginalised  Not able to pay rent or mortgage

8. May 2012 Leading to…  Family conflict  Addiction  Marriage breakdown  Depression/mental health  Unemployment It can work the other way round as well – any of these things can lead to homelessness

9. May 2012 Who deals with homelessness?  Local councils – legal duty  Housing associations  Private landlords  Charities and voluntary orgs  Government

10. May 2012 Scottish Government target “by 2012 every unintentionally homeless person will be entitled to permanent accommodation”. The Scottish Government

11. May 2012 Homelessness in Scotland  A waste of human potential  Working together makes a difference  More houses are needed – but also support  Churches & the community have a big role  Big challenges coming from the cuts