News In Focus
23 December 2008
Money for advice agencies announced
Twenty nine projects across Scotland will receive £2.4 million from the Scottish Government in the next financial year to help tackle homelessness and provide debt advice.
The money is part of the Government's Housing Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme, which provides funding for innovative projects dealing with housing and related issues including debt.
In light of a likely increase in the use of their services in the current financial climate, Shelter Scotland receives the largest awards, a total of just over £500,000 for its housing law services, which includes advice for people facing repossession.
Scottish Women's Aid will receive £107,100 to provide advice and support to women who are homeless having suffered domestic abuse. The same amount goes to Borderline, which offers support and advice to homeless Scots in London.
Other bodies to benefit range from the Scottish Refugee Council to Age Concern Scotland, the Highland Small Communities Trust, the Rural Housing Service and Scottish Churches Housiing Action.
Announcing the grants, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said: "Homelessness blights our society and is at odds with our ambition to build a modern, successful Scottish economy.
"That's why we are backing all these projects with significant investment to help improve the lives of people who are homeless or facing the risk of losing their home."
Alison Watson, Head of Services, Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity said: "Given the extra pressures on individuals and families across Scotland, this additional funding will enable us to respond to the very real problems people are facing."