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Homeless families have been re-housed in empty short-term lets across Edinburgh for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.

Over 65 flats have been found for all families with children who had been living in B&Bs in what council leader Adam McVey has called “a major result for the city”.

The charity Shelter Scotland praised the move, which comes a day after MSPs passed emergency legislation giving the Scottish Government new powers to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

As well as moving families into private sector flats, Edinburgh Council and charity Streetwork have also managed to find 120 hotel rooms for people who are homeless or have become homeless during the pandemic.

(Image: Streetwork)

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We welcome the news that Edinburgh Council has now moved all families out of bed and breakfast accommodation and into empty short-term let properties.

“This is consistent with our call to the Scottish Government to grant Councils the necessary powers to sequester holiday homes as temporary accommodation for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.”

While noting that this was only a temporary measure for the families he said the move would allow people to follow coronavirus safety advice.

"No one should be without the security and safety of a home, and in the face of this crisis, everyone needs to be able to follow the health advice on staying inside and self-isolating," he added.

(Image: Streetwork)

Council Leader, Adam McVey, said:“We’ve worked hard to find safe places to stay for everyone who is or becomes homeless during this pandemic. With our partners, we’ve already sourced 120 hotel rooms and 65 extra flats and, in a major result for the City, we now have no families with children living in B&Bs.

“We’ve successfully moved the families we care for into suitable flats – including properties sourced from the private sector. We’re also determined that this will remain the case for as long as the coronavirus crisis continues.

“This is a very challenging time and I’m pleased too that, with our partners, we’re able to support those families with welfare services, food parcels, and anything else they may need.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said:“Our efforts over the last couple of weeks are resulting in more suitable places for families but also very vulnerable individuals – people who may have been rough sleeping and whose health is most at risk.

“The work achieved so far has been immense and thanks must be given to our frontline workers, both in the Council and at Streetwork, who provide street-based outreach services. It really has been a coordinated effort and this is just the start.

“Work continues at pace to make sure more flats and more hotel rooms are found so that we can build on this and provide help to anyone who finds themselves without a home.”