By Edwin Mashonganyika
The Edinburgh City Council will provide temporary accommodation to anyone at risk of having to sleep rough, the Housing leader Paul Edie said today.
The Housing leader was reacting after Cowgate Centre, a Homeless service in the City, announced that it would close at night sparking fears that up to 40 would be left without a place to sleep.
Cowgate Centre would downgrade to day provision only, and it was feared that the former users would be forced back on the streets.
“We can provide emergency accommodation to anyone who is at risk of having to sleep rough. The homelessness strategy emphasises the need to provide suitable accommodation.
“The new service will provide temporary accommodation which avoids the need for people to use Cowgate centre at night. This will avoid the current situation where people stay overnight there sleeping on chairs and mats, Paul Edie said.