Urgent Action on Homelessness in Edinburgh: Councillors Plan to Move Residents Out of Unlicensed Accommodation
Edinburgh councillors agreed on a plan. They will move many people from unlicensed housing. The City Council made the plan because homelessness is growing. COVID-19 led more people to need help.
Rising Demand for Temporary Accommodation
Since March 2020, local groups moved fast. The council gave many hotel and bed-and-breakfast rooms at first. A new problem came up: more than 700 households now live in 28 places that lack a proper license as Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO).
An HMO is any home where three or more people from different households share a kitchen, bathroom, or other space. Landlords must get a special license to rent an HMO. Running an unlicensed HMO breaks the law. This fact makes life hard for tenants who need a safe, decent place.
Councillors’ Emergency Meeting
At an emergency meeting, councillors voted to stop new requests for homeless housing and hold off on non-urgent repairs. They try to move people out of unsafe housing before December. Legal experts warn that the council may break the law by paying on unlicensed properties.
Nick Smith, the council’s monitoring officer, said some landlords registered while others did not. The challenge grows. In 2020, 3,570 households stayed in temporary homes; this year, the number passed 5,000. ## Plans to Solve the Crisis
To speed up the move, the council stops new council house offers until January. This rule does not apply to people with disabilities or those leaving the hospital. The council now sends more funds to use empty properties again.
Earlier, the council had added extra temporary homes at the start of lockdown. It checked each place for safety. Many landlords did not pass these checks. The council still pays for homes that lack a proper license.
The latest report shows that a clear exit plan is needed for those in these homes. The council aims to stop payments to these landlords by early December. It will also pause the EdIndex site, where people bid for council homes amid high demand.
Voices of Concern and Commitment
Housing leader Jane Meagher said, "We see more people without homes and high rents. We also see less funding to build new homes. This is a very tough time."
She noted a hard choice: let people live in unlicensed HMOs, or leave them with no roof. "We must act fast to help," she said.
The council will work with home providers to meet the rules for a license. It will use its own stock to help those in need. Meagher added that talks with top Scottish ministers continue as they look for ways to care for those without homes in Edinburgh.
Conclusion
The City Council’s plan moves many residents from unlicensed homes. These places carry risks for health and safety. The council stops new home requests and sends more funds to fix the problem. These steps seek to give a safe, proper home to people in need. As partners work on this task, hope grows that clear help will come for those facing homelessness in Edinburgh.
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