MORE than £2 million has been promised for a new project to help the homeless and those sleeping rough in and around Paisley.
Funded by Renfrewshire council, the Renfrewshire Homelessness Partnership will identify causes of homelessness then create and
implement a counter strategy.
Police, housing associations, citizens' advice, women's aid and the community health par
tnership are all signed up to help. Along with council departments they will provide necessary health services, social care, advice, information and support.
As far as The Extra can ascertain, so far this year more than 70 people who told Renfrewshire social services they had slept rough the previous night, have sought council accommodation.
But discerning an accurate total, or even defining homelessness, is less easy: some without their own roof over their heads may be living with family or friends, or in insecure private tenancies.
Councillor Brian Lawson explained: "Relationship break-ups, domestic violence, debt problems and unemployment can all lead to a person finding themselves without a roof over their head.
"We are supporting people, not only in meeting their housing needs, but addressing the personal, health, educational or employment issues that may be contributing to their problems in finding a home".
Jan Brennan, housing manager at Ferguslie Park housing association, told The Extra: "We are supportive of this new measure. We deal with homelessness every day and house people with no permanent residence.
"We also provide accommodation for the council to use for homeless people".
As people have bought their council homes over the years, social housing availability has fallen and prospective tenants spend longer on the list.
A spokeswoman for Scottish Women's Aid revealed that at least one in two of those seeking refuge accommodation in Scotland has to be turned away "because of a lack of space".
She told The Extra: "Anything that can be done to meet women's support needs is welcome.
"We are keen to continue working with partners in local government to ensure that women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse have the access to support that they need".
ADVICE and support services have already been extended this year with new refurbished premises opened at Abercorn Street and George Street
in Paisley.
Director Graeme Brown of charity Shelter Scotland which supports the homeless, is backing Renfrewshire's approach towards the national 2012 commitment "to give everyone in Scotland the right to a home".
