Edinburgh’s Plan to Relocate Homeless Individuals Amid HMO Licensing Changes
The City of Edinburgh Council faces a housing challenge. The council plans to move some homeless people outside the city for a short period. The council works under strict house rules. Unlicensed rooms, used as homes, break UK law. The effort aims to keep rules clear and homes safe.
Background of the HMO Licensing Situation
Since Covid-19, the need for temporary homes has grown. The council has filled many hotel and B&B rooms to shelter people. Each property used as a main home must have a special HMO license. Around 650 people now live in rooms that lack this license.
Derek McGowan, the Service Director for Housing and Homelessness, explains the plan. The council may move nearly 10% of these people if it cannot find licensed rooms before 30 November. The council has found nearly 70 properties in nearby local areas. One site is 50 miles away, though it hopes to find more rooms within the city.
Immediate Measures and Long-Term Strategies
The council stops new social housing applications to focus on its own homes. Its local housing website, EdIndex, is not active now because many people need rooms.
Repairs that are not needed right away now wait until January. In recent weeks, council homes have seen 174 returns to residence. If existing unlicensed rooms get their HMO license soon, up to 120 more places could be ready.
Legal and Financial Obligations
The council must follow HMO rules. Keeping money for unlicensed rooms breaks its own legal duties. As the need for rooms grows, the focus shifts to using what exists in a safe and clear way.
The Broader Impact and Challenges
Local events put extra strain on room supply. When large cultural moments occur, hotel rooms fill quickly. In May, some new homeless people were moved out when guests for big concerts took rooms. With November nearing, McGowan says the council holds backup plans. He asks that all needing homes get them soon.
Conclusion
Edinburgh Council stands at a hard test. The council must move fast to fix room shortages while following strict housing law. As it works to find safe homes for everyone, its actions may guide how local groups deal with housing shortages in the UK.
To stay informed on these changes, you can check reliable sources such as the BBC News and the Edinburgh Evening News.
Further Reading
- Homeless to be moved out of unlawful B&Bs and hotels – BBC News
- Scotland’s housing crisis: An urgent need for solutions
- Houses of Multiple Occupation: Understanding the legal framework
By keeping informed on these matters, investors in HMOs can better understand the changing field and help find clear fixes in the property market.
