Homelessness groups biggest winners in £2.3m funding deal

VOLUNTARY organisations in the Capital are sharing in a £2.3 million funding package from the Scottish Executive.

The funding will provide a major boost to groups dealing with issues ranging from tackling homelessness and domestic violence to supporting refugees.

Thirty-four voluntary organisations across the country will receive the grants, announced by Social Justice Minister Iain Gray, with the largest share of the cash being used for homelessness groups. Edinburgh-based groups to benefit include the Bethany Christian Trust which has received £33,000 to provide social and pre-employment training for homeless people in a care context, the Rowan Alba Association which has been given £87,537 to provide tenancy support for older homeless people and DPHS (Lothian Adaptations) which received £35,571.

Mr Gray said the Scottish Executive was committed to promoting social justice throughout Scotland and added: "The funding is shared between a wide range of bodies which reflect core concerns of the Executive, such as tackling homelessness, addressing domestic violence, reinforcing community care and engaging more fully with the tenants movement in Scotland.

"The awards will also take forward innovative research, educational and training projects of national significance."

More than £1m will be made available to groups which deal with homelessness as part of the Executive’s committment to tackling the issue. "We are continuing to focus on the problem of homelessness and once again the largest share of funding - over £1 million will go to groups dealing with homelessness," Mr Gray said.

"This funding supports Shelter Scotland and the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux in providing housing advice and helping prevent homelessness in Scotland."

The Scottish Refugee Council will also benefit from a grant of £177,893 to continue its work on housing rights.