Moderator-Designate Calls on Governments to Tackle 'Obscenity' of Homelessness

Tuesday May 17

The scale of homelessness in Scotland is a ‘damning indictment’ on modern society, the Moderator-Designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has said.

The Rev Dr Russell Barr (right), who will chair next week’s General Assembly in Edinburgh, said it was ‘obscene’ that so many people were without safe and secure accommodation and challenged Holyrood and Westminster politicians to do more about the problem.

Over 35,000 homelessness applications were made to Scottish local authorities in 2014-15. Dr Barr, the minister of Cramond Kirk who founded the Edinburgh-based homelessness charity Fresh Start, said: “It is a disgrace and should not happen in the UK which is the fifth richest economy in the world.

“We worry about health and education and one of the best ways to improve standards is to ensure that people are properly and safely accommodated.

“Tackling the obscenity of homelessness must be a key priority for the Scottish and UK governments because if you believe in a progressive, modern Scotland you must make sure that people are properly housed.

“The government in Scotland must keep its promises and deliver on pledges to build more affordable homes."

"I love being a minister" - Life and Work's interview with Dr Barr

Post Tags: homelessness

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