Tom Arthur MSP has welcomed news that low-income families will be protected against homelessness with a £1.5 million fund.
The Homelessness Prevention Fund will support housing associations and social landlords to work with their tenants to prevent crisis, and stop families from becoming homeless.
A commitment of Programme for Government, the money will support families through accessible financial advice to reduce household costs, employment support, and in emergency situations, can also be paid directly to families.
Commenting on the announcement on Scottish Housing Day, Tom Arthur MSP said:
“We want to eradicate homelessness for good and recognise the important role of social landlords in helping us achieve this, especially through the preventative measures this fund can help with.
“Housing associations offer so much more than places for people to live – they support tenants through a range of services from financial and employment advice to linking up with health and social care.
“This fund is an important step forward in joining up services and making sure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, warm place to call home.”
David McCready, Chairperson of Barrhead Housing Association added:
‘We welcome all efforts to help eradicate homelessness and this fund will help support our tenants and prospective tenants.
“Our community regeneration strategy aims to assist tenants on a range of needs including health and well-being, child poverty, and employment and training, so the fund will greatly assist our low-income families and target this support where it’s most needed’.
Background
The Homelessness Prevention Fund will provide a range of support for low-income families who may also access support from other new funding, including:
- an additional £4 million for initiatives to enhance family incomes by improving access to work and work progression
- £500,000 for a new Family Learning Scotland Programme to help parents gain new skills through learning and training
- £1 million to build on good practice and help improve the life chances of young parents and their children
Scottish Housing Day is a national celebration of the positive impact that good quality housing makes to the lives of people and communities, and aims to highlight the housing options that are available.