Homelessness cases in Borders continue to rise

by EWAN LAMB

The number of Scottish Borders residents presenting with issues linked to homelessness has increased by more than 20 per cent in the space of a year while there was a 35 per cent rise in cases of children affected, according to figures published by the SNP Government.

Homelessness and threatened homelessness across the Borders region has reached their highest levels since well before the Covid pandemic, including the numbers in temporary accommodation.

A recently published Scottish Borders Council draft local housing strategy [LHS] declares at its strategic outcome five: "Homelessness is prevented wherever possible and a range of housing options are provided so people can secure a suitable and sustainable housing outcome as quickly as possible".

The LHS says everyone should be able to have their right to an adequate home realised. This includes everyone having access to a settled home that meets their needs and homelessness is prevented.

The document adds: "Key Actions for Delivery · Continue to Implement Rapid Rehousing · Improve access to housing for homeless or potentially homeless households across all tenures · People who experience homelessness reach a settled housing outcome as quickly as possible · Ensure homeless households can access the right support at the right time · All partners actively contribute to preventing homelessness."

However, the brand new statistics covering 2022/23 appear to show that current local policies are failing to reverse the upward trend.

These are the figures for people associated with applications to Borders agencies which were assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness: 2019 - 1,170; 2020 - 1,139; 2021 - 979; 2022 - 1,071; 2023 1,310. The 22 per cent increase between the 2022 and 2023 totals compares to a Scotland-wide rise of 11 per cent.

The corresponding data for Borders children impacted by homelessness or potential homelessness is: 2019 - 407; 2020 - 384; 2021 - 325; 2022 - 361; 2023 - 486. The 35 per cent hike in the figure from 2022 to 2023 is considerably above the Scottish average of 10 per cent.

There were 117 Borders households in temporary accommodation in 2023, nine more than in the previous year, and considerably above the figure of 81 in both 2019 and 2020. The total of 60 children in temporary accommodation represents a 20 per cent increase on 2022.

Here are the number of so-called homeless applications in Scottish Borders over the last five years: 2019 - 768; 2020 - 770; 2021 - 686; 2022 - 691; 2023 - 772. And the number of 'live' cases recorded were: 2019 - 256; 2020 - 244; 2021 - 277; 2022 - 332; 2023 - 366.

Average number of days spent in temporary accommodation for cases that closed: 2019 - 152; 2020 - 135; 2021 - 136; 2022 - 163; 2023 - 175.

The draft LHS lists key issues and challenges facing those tasked with tackling Borders homelessness.

It states: "Supply and demand for a range of properties including one beds and housing for larger families – high demand in Eildon and low supply in Tweeddale.

"There was an increasing reliance on temporary accommodation throughout the pandemic which has continued beyond. Implementing Prevention Duties – public bodies will have a legal duty to identify anyone at risk of homelessness and take action or refer for help.

"Local connect suspension – potential for unintended negative impacts on risk management, multi-agency public protection arrangements, complexity of case management continuity of support etc. The complex support needs, beyond housing support, of the homeless population and difficulties in accessing support. Demand on services due to support for Ukrainian Crisis and the Resettlement Programme. Impact of Covid and the lasting implications which includes implementing the RRTP [Rapid Rehousing Transition Programme]. Accessibility and affordability of the private rented sector particularly for single people and/or people on low incomes."