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No One Left Out: Cross-sector solutions this winter

No One Left Out: Cross-sector solutions this winter

No One Left Out: Cross-sector solutions this winter

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - 10:30:00 AM until

Join Homeless Network Scotland at an online event to address gaps and explore progress towards solving the challenges posed during winter – not just in winter but all year round. We’ll also hear expert evidence on why getting it right must be an urgent priority – and why some solutions fall short. 

This is the follow-up to an event in April about the barriers people faced getting suitable accommodation and support last winter, the real-life impact that had on individuals and the challenges service providers faced. 

Speakers

Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe from the Institute for Social Policy, Housing and Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University will share the lessons learned from Scotland’s shelter-free response to homelessness from 2020-2024.  

In her paper ‘Beyond Shelters: Unpacking global lessons from Scotland’s journey towards housing justice’ Prof Watts-Cobbe argues in relation to ‘shared-air’ communal night shelters that “claims that shelters must be part of homelessness responses reflect a pervasive and persistent poverty of aspiration about how people facing homelessness ought to be treated.” 

Based on this evidence, Beth will set out why reducing shelter use in favour of less damaging alternatives is necessary in the pursuit of housing justice – and to demonstrate that ending the use of shelters can be achieved again in Scotland. 

An open discussion will explore questions such as:  

  • What has changed in the last 6 months?  
  • Are we closer to a solution – and what are the barriers?  
  • Who else is responsible for addressing this problem? 
  • Do we need a solution all year round or is a seasonal response adequate?  
  • How do we avoid year-on-year uncertainty?  
  • Which parts of the country is this affecting?  
  • What needs to be put in place to make sure that everyone has their right to a safe home? 

Find more information and book your place here

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