West of Scotland's Efforts to Tackle Homelessness Show Benefits of Co-operation

Written by Claire Munro Thursday, 04 October 2012 14:42

The agreement of a new partnership to tackle homelessness in Glasgow today (Thursday 4th October) has been

 welcomed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

Eight local authorities and Glasgow Housing Association have signed an agreement to work with social work departments, health care professionals and job centres to ensure that people who are at risk of homelessness are assisted as early as possible.

SFHA Policy Manager David Ogilvie said:

"We congratulate all partners involved in the development of this new Housing Options Hub approach to tackling and preventing homelessness. Housing associations and co-operatives play a critical role in reducing and preventing homelessness, not least in terms of meeting Scotland's bold commitment to ending homelessness by the end of 2012.

"However while our sector is fully committed to supporting these objectives, we need to be aware that our ability to do so is severely challenged by the impending impacts of welfare reform and the on going squeeze on public spending budgets. Investing in new housing supply has never been more important."

ends

For further information, contact Claire Munro on t: 0141 567 6244 m: 07771926778 or e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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NOTES:
1. The SFHA was established in 1976 and has around 170 members providing affordable housing and wider community services in Scotland, as well as a further 200 commercial members. The SFHA is owned by its membership and exists to support the work of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland by providing services, advice and good practice guidance.
2. The SFHA is the voice of the principal builders and managers of new affordable housing for rent in Scotland. Housing Associations own and manage around 40% of the country's affordable rented housing stock, over a quarter of a million homes across Scotland.
3. Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.