Highland Councillors have set a target of providing 200 new homes over the next four years for people who find themselves in an emergency homeless position.
They plan to gradually reduce the amount of money spent on purchasing temporary accommodation from the private sector, such as Houses of Multiple Occupation, and instead build and acquire an expanding pool of one-bedroomed homes in appropriate locations that can be used as a temporary base for the homeless.
The new approach was unveiled at a meeting of the Finance Housing and Resources Committee, whose Chairman Dave Fallows warmly welcomed the initiative.
He said: This will provide the homeless with far better life chances in suitable quality self-contained accommodation with a kitchen/living room with separate bathroom and bedroom. Provision of the new houses will reduce the stigma attached to homelessness by improved integration into communities. Importantly, it also provides the Council with greater value for money, an expanded number of council houses and hopefully reduced homelessness.
He said the new approach recognised that the Councils use of rooms in private accommodation is expensive (3 million per year) and the least attractive option for many homeless people and the Council.
Council Leader Drew Hendry, who has spearheaded the new approach, said: This is about treating people the way we would want to treat someone in our own family who might find themself in a homeless situation, for whatever reason and providing them with better life chances. By providing better and more suitable accommodation we will assist the transition of the homeless to more settled accommodation.
Any properties identified for use as temporary accommodation can be located to ensure access to appropriate facilities and support and to allow homeless people to become part of a community, thereby giving them greater security, stability and an opportunity to develop independent living skills and appropriate social skills.