27th
November 2006
Homelessness in Dundee
Imagine
Being Homeless…
Imagine
being homeless; no regular meals, no warm bed to sleep in,
no cooking or washing facilities, the feeling of hopelessness
surrounding you on a daily basis…..the feeling of ‘Why
me?’….’What did I do?’…..’Do
I really deserve this?’ being asked again and again.
This
happens for many people within all major cities in Scotland
and Dundee is one of them. Homeless applications are currently
around figures of 900 to 1000 and expected to rise in the
following year.
Homelessness
in Dundee
It
is difficult to typify homeless people as their circumstances
and characteristics are diverse. According to the report ‘Dundee’s
Homelessness Strategy – 2003/2006’ the greatest
number of housing applications are from households with dependent
children, over 30%. Coming in second at 16% are people who
are vulnerable due to physical / mental / learning disability
or other infirmity. Other areas of concern are the numbers
who are vulnerable because of youth and this equates to around
15% of homelessness with a further 5% being attributed to
families fleeing domestic abuse.
Positive
Steps is working in partnership with Dundee City Council as
well as other organisations to help eradicate the problems
associated with homelessness.
Why
Do People Become Homeless?
A
study conducted by Dundee City Council identified that in
2002 the majority of homeless people (41%) were living with
friends and relatives who could no longer accommodate them.
These people are often referred to as the ‘hidden homeless’
or they partake in the new phrase of ‘sofa-surfing’
as they move from one family member or friend to another.
Concern for these people has risen as it is mostly the younger
generation that are affected.
Other
reasons include disputes with spouse/cohabite with regards
to violent and non-violent behaviour, being discharged from
an institution such as prison or hospital etc and another
reason is being evicted by a landlord.
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