(2 mins read)
As a charity we continue to see an increase in people approaching us for help as they face homelessness. And we now have a service specifically aimed at helping them – our Homeless Housing Options Scotland service. In 2022-23 228 households were supported. We also worked with Scottish local authorities and external organisations to raise the voices of people facing homelessness.
Olivia has been working with someone who first approached us from temporary accommodation.
I have been working with a client since January, who initially came through to us from a local authority homelessness team. The client had been in temporary accommodation but was found to be intentionally homeless and not eligible for assistance. The local authority believed the client should return to their original location, despite the clients claims they experienced abuse there. I managed to get a hold of the client on the day they were asked to leave their temporary accommodation, they have no connections in the area, and nowhere to go. The client did not want to return to their original location, for fear of their safety.
I felt that my client had been let down by the homelessness process, especially when they asked him to vacate his temporary accommodation knowing he had nowhere to go.
I made some suggestions of places the client could go to find accommodation, but nothing was available. Thankfully, my client was taken in by a kind stranger and allowed to stay with them. I suggested that my client should challenge the decision made by the Local Authority not to support him. I put him in touch with a legal service who could support him. My client has since launched an appeal, and has moved back into temporary accommodation whilst he awaits the outcome.
I am feeling hopeful now for my client. He has the support of a legal team behind him which can make all the difference.
Homeless Housing Options Scotland Engagement Lead, Pedro, recognises that joined-up working is crucial.
As much as we’d like it to, homelessness doesn’t always have an easy solution. For this client, our role is very much as a source of support. Our strong links with other organisations means that we have been able to use a joined-up approach to make sure we are covering every base to try and find a solution for this client. If we can’t find the answer, as long as our clients stick with us, then we will try everything to make sure it can be found.