Posted on 19 Nov 2007

Edinburgh now boasts over 100 units of specially designed accommodation for homeless people, thanks to a partnership between the public and private sectors.

The Scottish Government is now taking an interest in the model that’s been developed by The EDI Group Ltd, working with City of Edinburgh Council and Dunedin Canmore Housing Association.

Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, today [Monday 19 November 2007] visited Dunedin Harbour Hostel in Leith to find out more about the innovative approach taken to land deals and ownership swaps by the partners.

Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said: “This is an excellent example of how partnership working can bring about real results for homeless people. It’s particularly commendable that the aim has been to integrate homeless people within the community, which is an important way of reducing the marginalisation and isolation associated with homelessness.”

Since the mid 1990s, the partnership has delivered 100 units of new housing for the homeless in the centre of Edinburgh. These 100 units include three hostels with self contained rooms, 44 shared flats and 8 private flats which have brought vacant or derelict buildings back into use.

Speaking on behalf of the partners, Ian Wall, Chief Executive of The EDI Group said:

“We’ve developed a way of working that’s delivered innovative solutions to the problems of financing – and managing – a wide range of housing for homeless people.

“It’s been satisfying to develop housing of a high standard – and designed by some of the best architects in Scotland – for people in our society who often get a pretty raw deal but deserve better.”

The projects have made a major contribution to the city’s Housing Strategy and Rough Sleepers Initiative. They also demonstrate how this way of working can achieve city-centre regeneration while delivering social and community benefits.

Commenting on the benefits of the partnership for the city, Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Convener said:

"I warmly welcome initiatives such as this taking place in the city. When we work in partnership with the Housing Associations as we have done here, we can provide more accommodation and better services for people who are homeless. This helps us work towards our long term goal of eradicating homelessness in this city."

Ewan Fraser, Chief Executive of Dunedin Canmore Housing Association Ltd said that the partnership demonstrated the real benefits that can be delivered to people in the greatest housing need. He said:

“Providing good quality accommodation for homeless people is essential if we want to raise the overall standards of affordable housing in Edinburgh.”

While homeless accommodation is often pushed to the edges of towns and cities, Edinburgh’s approach has been to integrate it into the existing fabric of the city. Regenerating buildings in Leith and The Old Town has revitalised lively communities while retaining their diversity and mixed character.

As a result, Edinburgh’s homeless people have the same access to good quality accommodation and services as other residents.

The partners now believe the model could be replicated in other parts of Scotland, as well as being adapted to different sectors.

The EDI Group is already working with several charities - who own properties or land - to release cash to improve their facilities for users, while reducing the cost to the public purse and other funders.

For example, the Phoenix Youth Club charity, which has around 300 regular users from disabled people to Scouts, desperately needs new facilities. Now EDI is working with the charity on a 19-unit development that will enable also the wholesale replacement of this well-used community facility with purpose-built premises, funded by the sale of the flats above it. The Trust will also benefit from a "dowry" as part of the agreement, to help cover their running costs for years to come.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Giselle Dye, at Pagoda PR on 0131 556 0770 Giselle.dye@pagodapr.com

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