Homelessness Monitoring Group report launch:

Crucial questions to be answered

Communities Minister Margaret Curran will today accept the first report of the Homelessness Monitoring Group which was set up to oversee the implementation of the Homelessness Task Force report.

SCSH Director, Robert Aldridge, who is a member of the Monitoring Group welcomed the first annual report as ‘a considerable step in the right direction’, but claimed more homes were needed if the Executive is to meet its target by 2012.

SCSH Director Robert Aldridge said: "The report shows a massive amount of work has been done at local and national level by a wide range of agencies. They have set in motion the radical improvements to how we treat homeless people. It represents a considerable step forward in a very short period of time.

He added: "The crucial questions are whether we will have enough affordable houses of the right quality to meet the 2012 deadline, and whether we have the range of support needed to prevent homelessness and tackle it effectively.

That is why I welcome the priorities for the Monitoring Group for the coming year and trust that when the numbers of additional houses we need is quantified the Scottish Executive will respond to meet that need."

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1. SCSH is the national membership organisation for individuals and organisations working with homeless people.
2. The Homelessness Monitoring Group was set up with a remit to: "Support and monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force". It is required to report annually to the Scottish Parliament.
3. Robert Aldridge is Director of SCSH. He is a member of the Homelessness Monitoring Group, Health & Homelessness Steering Group and the Supporting People Stakeholders. He was previously a member of the Scottish Executive's Homelessness Task Force as well as the Rough Sleepers' Initiative Advisory Group. Robert is the UK representative on FEANTSA's Administrative Council (European network of homelessness organisations).