Housing helpline calls rise by 43%

Nov 30 2012

Calls to a helpline that deals with housing problems have increased by more than 40% in the least three years, the charity that runs the service revealed.

Shelter Scotland said 60 individuals and families called its advice line a day last year - up from 42 calls a day in 2008-09.

Almost 22,000 calls were made to the advice line in 2011-12, with the housing and homelessness charity saying there had been a "staggering" increase in the number of people looking for help.

Labour housing spokeswoman Elaine Murray said the rise was a result of reduced spending on affordable housing by the Scottish Government, along with the welfare reforms being implemented by Westminster. She hit out: "Sadly, the policies being pursued by both the Scottish and UK governments means that these services will continue to be in demand."

Shelter Scotland director Graeme Brown said the charity had faced "tough challenges" raising the money to pay for the helpline, which is staffed by eight dedicated advisers. But a new partnership with high street giant Marks and Spencer could help, with the retailer having vowed to donate 5p from every item sold from its Christmas Food on the Move range towards the helpline.

Mr Brown said: "Thousands of families and individuals across Scotland face a daily struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. For these people, and many more living on a knife edge, speaking to one of our advisors is a lifeline. Sadly in the last three years we've seen a staggering 43% increase in the number of people contacting us for help. At the same time we've faced some tough challenges in raising money to fund the helpline. We are lucky to have eight dedicated advisors who work tirelessly to answer calls and offer much-needed advice - but we need more advisers to help us meet the rising demand."

Shelter Scotland receives no government or public cash to help with the cost of the advice line, relying instead on voluntary donations. Marks and Spencer has worked with Shelter in England for seven years, raising more than £2 million for the charity. But this is the first year that money from product sales will go towards Shelter Scotland's helpline, which can be reached on 0808 800 4444.

Richard Gillies, director of corporate social responsibility for Marks and Spencer said: "Our partnership with Shelter Scotland will support this valuable service which clearly helps so many. For our customers and us, it's really great to know that something as simple as choosing your lunch can make a real difference to people who risk losing their home."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The Shelter Scotland homelessness helpline offers an invaluable service for individuals and families facing the trauma of homelessness. This Government's approach is to help people before the reach the point of becoming homeless. Recent figures suggest that our homelessness prevention measures are having a positive effect although there is absolutely no room for complacency. That is why we are investing at least £760 million in affordable housing over the next three years, despite Westminster cuts to our capital budget.

"This figure is significantly more than Shelter and the Chartered Institute of Housing claimed we need to meet our home-building targets of over 30,000 affordable homes during this Parliamentary term. We exceeded our target of building 6,000 affordable homes a year in 2011-12 with 6,882 completions. One of the Scottish Government's key priorities is maintaining that record of achievement and we are actively working with councils and housing associations to ensure the pace is maintained."