Homelessness and Eagles Wings

I was disappointed to read comment today (Thursday 15 January) from the Eagles Wings charity about Dundee's falling homelessness figures. Their "suspicion" is unjustified.  Homelessness is falling across Scotland as a result of a Scottish Government initiative, enthusiastically supported by Dundee City Council.

Instead of waiting until people become homeless before providing help and assistance, we are getting in early. We try and sort out disputes between tenants and landlords. We help people apply for council or housing association houses. Our Homefinder project will assist people to find a privately rented flat with a responsible landlord.

Sometimes linking people up with the right medical or social work support can help prevent homelessness. By doing this we prevent many people reaching crisis point and losing their homes. This national strategy is called Housing Options.

I chair the national Homelessness Prevention Strategy Group, which brings together the Scottish Government, local authorities and voluntary organisations such as Shelter. The Group oversees the Housing Options strategy across Scotland and drives forward change and improvement.

I'm keen to meet Eagles Wings, so I will be in touch shortly. Like them, I am concerned that some people are not finding their way to the homelessness services and I want to know more about that. If anyone is not getting the service they should, I want to know about that too. Meantime, let's celebrate the fact that fewer people are going through the misery of homelessness because we are helping them before the crisis strikes.