Every 15 minutes, a household becomes homeless in Scotland
Right There has today published a new manifesto calling for urgent action to break the cycle of homelessness once and for all.
The charity says homelessness is not inevitable, but the result of problems being ignored for too long. The manifesto urges political leaders to shift focus towards early support, joined-up services and practical help that stops people from reaching crisis point in the first place.
Key calls include:
- “Support beyond the keys” – ensuring that the proper support is available to new tenants, especially those experiencing domestic abuse
- the need for a national plan to support young people raised by relatives or family friends through kinship care
- improved access to mental health services for young people, adults and anyone experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- better, faster support for people leaving prison so they do not end up homeless
- and more community learning hubs to help people build skills, confidence and connections locally
The manifesto was shaped by people with lived experience of homelessness, ensuring that the proposals are grounded in reality and focused on what actually helps. Adopting these changes would ease pressure on public services and, more importantly, prevent thousands of people from losing their homes.
Right There Chief Executive, Janet Haugh, said:
“Homelessness does not happen overnight. It happens when people are let down time and again, by systems that react too late or not at all.
“Scotland declared a housing emergency last year, but since then the situation has only got worse. Behind the headlines are families, young people and individuals paying the price every single day.
“With elections just weeks away, this is a unique opportunity for Scotland’s political leaders to stop tinkering at the edges and start fixing what is broken. Having a safe place to call home should not be a privilege. It should be a basic right for everyone.”
