By Mark Mackay

THE NUMBER of homeless people in Perth and Kinross is “unacceptable in a modern society,” according to Provost John Hulbert.

The council has admitted that it is dealing with a “homelessness crisis,” with an inability to house those who come forward being keenly felt in what is Scotland’s fastest-growing local authority area.

At the heart of that is the fact the number of people presenting as homeless in the area is vastly at odds with much of the rest of the UK.

Scottish Government figures show the number of people coming forward as homeless has dropped by almost 5% in the past year.

Perth and Kinross, however, has experienced a 19% increase, up from 988 to 1216.

With a significant shortage of affordable housing and huge expenditure on temporary accommodation such as bed and breakfasts as a result, the council has warned it is unlikely to meet the national target of abolishing homelessness by 2012.

Homelessness has long been rated as a “top priority” by Perth and Kinross Council and it is working hard to increase housing stock.

On Friday, Dr Hulbert welcomed the completion of Perthshire Housing Association’s 1500th home. That may be cause for celebration, but the provost admitted much work remains.

He said, “The council is particularly encouraged by the trend to diversify tenure, and move into shared ownership and shared equity housing.

“However, that should not obscure the fact that there is still a serious shortfall in affordable housing, and an unacceptable number of homeless people in Perth and Kinross.

“Moreover, to all this is added the rising population of Perth and Kinross and the unquantifiable effects of the recent financial disasters.”

Dr Hulbert said a number of statistics are essential, to understand the problem.

He said, “We have in Perth and Kinross a very high demand for social rented housing.

“During the last five years there has never been fewer than 5000 people at any one time on the housing waiting list, seeking somewhere affordable to live.

“And it is not just big numbers of houses needed—it is very small number of houses available. Perth and Kinross has over 7500 council houses, but the turnover is at its lowest level ever.

“In 2004-5 some 574 houses became available. This was bad enough, but the figure dropped to 372 in 2007-8 and it is expected to fall even lower during this current year.

“The mismatch between 5000 people on the housing waiting list and only 300-400 houses becoming available in a year is stark—and that is before we take account of the needs of the homeless.

“The number of homeless people in P&K is unacceptable in a modern society and is spread right across the council’s area, including the city of Perth, the burghs and the villages and rural areas.”

Dr Hulbert does, however, hope the issue can be addressed.

“There are some positive developments, in particular the successful partnerships between the council and PHA and some other registered social landlords,” he said.

“And so I am hopeful that— with some more money coming from the Scottish Government, with the changes in the planning policy now taking effect, which demand that 50% of houses built in Perth city and 25% outwith the city are affordable, and most important of all, with a continued partnership between the council and the housing associations —the outlook will gradually improve.

“What can be said with certainty is that without the close relationship between the PHA and the council the situation would be very much worse than it is.”