Anger as city used to house homeless from other councils

COMMUNITY leaders today hit out at the number of homeless people being housed in the Capital – by other local authorities.

They are angry that councils are moving people into areas in north Edinburgh already "saturated" by temporary accommodation for the homeless.

An estimated 20 per cent of people in homeless bed and breakfasts are from Midlothian and the majority are housed in a few streets in the north of the city. East Lothian Council also places people in Edinburgh, but less frequently.

Calls for a review of the arrangement come as a landlord in Pilrig attempts to open another bed and breakfast for homeless people, just doors away from one regularly used by Midlothian Council and two used by the city council.

Harald Tobermann, of Pilrig Residents Association, said: "Three or four of these buildings just hundreds of metres from each other? I do not see why it has to be like this. Homeless people do need help, but finding accommodation for them needs to be more organised."

Noise disturbances and police call-outs have been highlighted as problems experienced by residents who live near Pilrig Street – where the bed and breakfasts are.

Many have objected to a new application for a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) licence for Acorn Lodge, at 26 Pilrig Street.

Similar problems have been reported in Leith Links.

Council figures show that during one week in March 2008, 71 homeless adults and five children from Midlothian were placed in bed and breakfasts in the Capital. And officials from Midlothian Council have confirmed that Pilrig is a key area they send them to.

Leith Walk councillor Louise Lang, whose ward covers Pilrig, has had many complaints from residents in the area. However, she said: "If somebody is homeless, the most important thing is to find them a home and it should not matter if it's in their authority or ours."

A city council spokesman confirmed there was no official agreement with Midlothian Council over the placing of homeless people. However, there is a protocol whereby Midlothian advises the city of the names and locations of those they have placed with private landlords.