It’s a long time since I’ve walked along George Street with its high class expensive shops and I was surprised at the price of things including a Rolex watch at almost £20,000.  Just along the street is evidence of those who have very little money to pay for even a proper roof over their heads.  As in many parts of Britain there are hundreds of people facing winter on the streets and in Edinburgh the Simon Community charity handed out more than 100 sleeping bags last month but even those would give little  protection from the recent very cold weather.

Contrary to belief, many of the homeless seen on our streets are not drug addicts or alcoholics but homeless due to various factors, mostly through no fault of their own.  There is a severe shortage of social rented homes, private rents have escalated and mortgage costs have risen causing people to lose their homes with thousands of families homeless and staying in temporary accommodation like hostels, B&Bs and hotels.
According to Rowan Alba which is an organisation trying to alleviate homelessness

In Scotland as a whole, 2020/21 Government figures show:
46% of all homeless applications are a result of issues with property e.g. landlord selling property, fire, dispute with others sharing property, harassment.
25% are from lack of support from friends and family
24% are due to mental health issues
14% are due to financial difficulties/unemployment
14% are due to criminal / anti-social behaviour
13% are due to drug / alcohol dependency

The Extra shows the difference today from Thursday’s icy Ross Fountain after the ice has melted leaving only traces of thick ice on one of the heads.