Scottish churches to tackle homelessness at local level

Members of churches in Oban, north-west Scotland, have decided to plan a local initiative to help people who become homeless.

The move follows a meeting between different church congregations and local projects last Wednesday organised by Scottish Churches Housing Action.

Karen Bryson from the Blue Triangle Housing Association, and Val and Hamish Mair from the Lord's Larder outlined what each organisation does to help people in need. They made clear in their contributions that homelessness does not just mean sleeping rough or selling the Big Issue. It is, rather, a problem with local roots, and can affect a wide range of people, they insisted.

Myra MacDonald of Argyll & Bute Council set out the problems they face.

"Last year, over one thousand households applied as homeless across Argyll and Bute," she said. "In the Oban and Lorn area, there were 207, including 107 children."

The council offers some temporary accommodation, but relies on Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and West Highland Housing Association to provide long-term homes.

They have an average of 150 properties to let each year, for all purposes, so there is a mismatch in demand and supply, Ms MacDonald added.

Diane Beckett, of Scottish Churches Housing Action, explained the charity's role as a national organisation which supports local action on homelessness. "I'm delighted that there was a group of people who agreed to work together to see what the churches in Oban can contribute," she said.

One proposal that will be explored is to set up a starter pack project, to provide household essentials such as kitchen goods and bed linen to help people re-settle in a new tenancy after they have been homeless.