New homeless hostel is named 8/12/13
A £2 million homeless hostel in Stornoway is to be called The Acres after the part
of town it is located.
Building of the two storey L-shaped building on the former Acres site and playing
field opposite Western Isles Council’s headquarters is due to be competed around
Easter.
The 24 unit shared temporary accommodation unit is urgently required to try and tackle
the significant problem in the islands where around 200 people a year are homeless.
Though there has been past incidents of people sleeping rough, many are put up in
Bed and Breakfast accommodation, if it is available, because of the lack of an accommodation
unit.
The council is concerned that welfare reform will lead to an increase in homelessness
due to eviction for rent arrears.
The perception that people who have lost their home all cause trouble and have alcohol,
drug and anti-social issues seemed to be behind the strong opposition to building
the unit elsewhere around the town.
Western Isles Council data shows that many cases are caused by relationship breakdown
within families.
There are cases of pregnant women finding themselves without a roof over their heads.
