FALL IN HOMELESSNESS APPLICATIONS IN EAST LOTHIAN

​SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed new figures showing a 6% fall in homelessness applications in East Lothian between September 2018 and September 2019.
The Scottish Government has invested £32.5 million into Rapid Rehousing and Housing First to prioritise permanent, settled accommodation, as the first response to minimise the length of time people spend in temporary accommodation.
The government also changed the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2014 so that families with children and pregnant women only stay in accommodation, such as B&Bs, for a maximum of seven days.
Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
“Everyone should have a home of their own, and any level of homelessness is too high.
“While we must not become complacent, it is very welcome that the number of applications in East Lothian has fallen.
“The SNP in government is determined to tackle homelessness and good progress is being made on our £50 million Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan.
“It’s now vital that we do all we can to prevent homelessness in the first place, and ensure that when it does happen support is available to move into settled accommodation quickly.”