Homelessness in Helensburgh and Lomond on the rise – but why?

The number of people applying to be declared homeless in the area jumped by almost half last year.

A report being prepared for Argyll and Bute Council shows that there was an increase of 38 applications - 42 per cent - between April and December, compared to the same period in 2016.

In contrast, the figure for Argyll and Bute as a whole was 37 – an increase of just 11 per cent.

However, the report, compiled by Councillor Robin Currie, the council’s policy lead for communities, housing, Gaelic and islands, does not explain why the Helensburgh and Lomond figure has soared, while figures for other areas have fallen.

The Advertiser asked Argyll and Bute Council what had caused the spike in local numbers, but no explanation was provided.

However, a spokeswoman said the main reason people become homeless is because they are subject to relationship breakdown or asked to leave their accommodation.

In his report, Cllr Currie said: “374 homeless applications were recorded across Argyll and Bute during the period from April 1 to December 31.

“This represents an increase of 37 applications (11 per cent) on the same period in 2016/17.

“While some areas such as Bute, Cowal and Lorn have seen a reduction in applications, the biggest increase in applications has been in Helensburgh and Lomond where there has been an increase of 38 applications (42 per cent) compared to the same period in 2016/17.”

Councillor Ellen Morton, chair of the authority’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, said she had seen the figures in the report and had found them “interesting, concerning and surprising”.

Cllr Morton added: “This is something I want to pursue further, so will speak to the relevant person at the council to establish the underlying reasons for it.

“No one has made me aware of any particular issues which would have caused this increase.

“There can be a multitude of reasons for homelessness, but it’s something we need to address.”

The council’s spokeswoman said: “The housing service takes a pro-active approach to the prevention of homelessness and every effort is made to assist people to secure accommodation at the time they are at risk of becoming homeless and before they become roofless.

“The main reason people become homeless is because they are subject to relationship breakdown or asked to leave their accommodation.

“We have a mediation contract in place and refer people to mediation to try to resolve disputes and associated potential homelessness.

“Our housing staff have developed good links with a wide range of landlords, both public and private sector, and support agencies.”

By coincidence, the local figures on homeless applications were highlighted on the same week that the Scottish Government revealed that more than 285,000 households have relied on the Scottish Welfare Fund in the past five years.

The fund is a national scheme providing a safety net for people and households on low incomes.

Commenting on the Government figures, Alison Watson, deputy director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Harsh welfare reforms, the roll out of Universal Credit, zero-hours contracts, stagnant wages and the high cost of housing are behind these figures and cause ongoing misery and uncertainty.”

These figures once again depict the daily struggles of tens of thousands of households across Scotland to make ends meet and keep a roof over their head.

“Harsh welfare reforms, the roll out of Universal Credit, zero-hours contracts, stagnant wages and the high cost of housing are behind these figures and cause ongoing misery and uncertainty and contribute to the growing levels of poverty in Scotland.

“While it is good news the fund exists and is a vital safety net for so many households – a third of them with children – much more needs to be done to resolve the underlying issues to create a fairer and more just society for everyone in Scotland. Halting the roll-out of the flawed Universal Credit system until it is fixed and a major increase in the supply of truly affordable housing in places where people want to live would be a good start.”

The news comes after it was revealed that more than one in five children in the area are living in poverty.

Figures from the End Child Poverty Campaign - reported earlier this month by the Advertiser - showed that in Helensburgh Central, 21.26 per cent of children were assessed as living in poverty, while in Lomond North, the figure was event higher, at 21.42 per cent.

Jackie Baillie MSP said that “far too many families in Helensburgh and Lomond, Dumbarton and the Vale of leven are missing out of the basic things that most children take for granted”.

Another factor pointing to how many families are struggling to make ends meet is the increasing demand for services provided by Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank.

And demand for the services of the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank is also rising: the facility issued 986 bags of food in its first 12 months, 1,169 in its second year, and 1,596 in its third.

Foodbank chair Mary McGinlay told the Advertiser that the requests for food packages had never been greater.

Meanwhile, a Holyrood committee says more should more should be done to find permanent accommodation for the homeless. The MSPs on Holyrood’s local government and communities committee said Scotland should adopt a “housing first” scheme, similar to a strategy used successfully in Finland.

The model being proposed prioritises a homeless person’s unconditional right to a permanent home, without them having to go through several levels of temporary accommodation first.

The committee pointed to Finland which is the only country in Europe where homelessness has declined.

Its reported stated: “In many cases, it was found that for those who had problems with substance and alcohol misuse, their using reduced dramatically or stopped when they were given a secure tenancy and the right support.”