Crisis responds to SNP Manifesto
20.04.2016
Responding to the SNP's manifesto, launched today, national homelessness charity Crisis welcomed the focus on homelessness, particularly on protecting support for young people, but warned there is still much to do to arrest the growing number of homeless people stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Crisis Chief Executive Jon Sparkes said:
“We are pleased to see the SNP’s manifesto reflect the importance of tackling and preventing homelessness. We warmly welcome their commitment to protect housing benefit for 18-21’s and look forward to working with them to address the themes identified in our own Manifesto to End Homelessness.
“Measures to improve support for people in temporary accommodation – including making temporary accommodation the same standard as permanent accommodation and limiting the maximum stay in B&Bs to one week for families with children - are certainly very encouraging, but do not address the rising number of single homeless people stuck in temporary accommodation with their lives on hold, often for months at a time.
“The next Scottish Government must extend time limits in unsuitable temporary accommodation to all homeless people. We need to ensure homeless people have swift access to suitable, permanent housing and we look forward to working with the SNP to achieve this.”