Homelessness strategy for Perth and Kinross

Feb 9 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A RENT ‘bond’ scheme that has cut the number of homeless people in Perth and Kinross has reached a major milestone, it emerged yesterday.

A report to Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and health committee revealed that the 50th resident signed up to the project last week, well ahead of a target set in the council’s homelessness strategy for 2009 to 2012.

Rent bond agreements are part of a guarantee scheme launched last September giving people access to private sector tenancies without the need for a cash deposit.

“The number of rent bond agreements signed so far shows landlords are happy to work with the council,” said housing and community care officer Sheena Cochrane.

The 55-page homelessness strategy report was unanimously approved and welcomed by the committee, with convener Peter Barrett describing it as “a significant document”.

The report showed that, while the human cost of being homeless is immeasurable, the local authority‘s homeless services will cost a staggering £9,116,000 in the current financial year.

It also emerged that, unlike some other local authority areas, over half of homelessness applications are from people in employment.

“There is a huge stigmatised view in being homeless,” said Mr Barrett. “Our job is to try and counter those stigmas.”

The committee called for private sector landlords to be less discriminatory against home-seekers receiving state benefits.

One member, Davie Scott, insisted: “Landlords placing adverts containing “no DSS” are showing some discrimination and this should not be allowed.”

But Mr Barrett claimed “nothing can be done”.

“Where we are coming from is to work closely with landlords to find out what their reservations are about taking on tenants on benefits,” he declared.

The chronic shortage of affordable housing and considerable shortfall in short-term temporary accommodation is especially keen in the Perth area, while second in the table is Highland Perthshire.

A PKC housing need assessment undertaken last year revealed a net shortage of some 500 units of affordable housing each year for the next 10 years.

PKC’s 34-point homelessness strategy action plan includes improving access to a range of tenures, minimising breaches of the ‘unsuitable accommodation order’ and enabling the development of affordable housing.