Homelessness; the Inverness perspective

THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Agenda Item 6
INVERNESS CITY COMMITTEE - 2 NOVEMBER 2009 Report
No ICC 76/09

Homelessness Issues in the City

Report by Area Housing & Property Manager

This report updates members on:

• National developments in Homelessness duties toward the 2012 target set by the
Scottish Government

• Local outcomes particularly around Service developments in the city centre.

"Homelessness and solutions to Homelessness are not solely an issue for Housing & Property Services. Those presenting with established homelessness lifestyles are typically the victims of dysfunctional backgrounds and often very damaged, in the sense that their capacity to address the causes of their homelessness are compromised. Often however agencies with responsibilities, around addressing these underlying causes of an individual’s homelessness, are not directly involved. Opportunities are therefore often lost for instance to positively engage while a homeless applicant is temporarily accommodated."

On a personal note APTSec is heartened that there is a recognition that people need support and a recognition that there should be an integrated approach to providing this.