Shelter Scotland joined by Lord Provost to open new Aberdeen Office

Shelter Scotland’s brand-new Aberdeen Office was officially opened today (Friday 3rd March) by Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor David Cameron.

The charity has said the new office represents a renewal of its ongoing commitment to the fight against homelessness and the housing emergency in Aberdeen.

The new facilities will provide a base for Shelter Scotland’s housing advisors, community organisers and volunteers who work to support individual clients and groups throughout the city.

The opening event included a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Lord Provost, as well as a speech by a Shelter Scotland peer with lived experience.

Shelter Scotland has recently warned that the housing emergency in Scotland is certain to worsen in the coming months as the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and Scottish Government cuts to social housing funding bite.

The latest figures show that there are more than 100 children in Aberdeen without a permanent home, while the number of live homelessness applications as of September 2022 was up 39% compared to the previous year.

Assistant Director, Gillian Reid-McKee, said:

"I’m delighted to be finally opening Shelter Scotland’s brand-new Aberdeen office, which will provide the perfect place for our staff and volunteers to support communities across the city.

“The fight against homelessness and insecure housing has never been more important and today’s opening represents a renewal of our commitment to sticking in that fight until it’s won.

“The combination of an ongoing cost of living crisis and recent Scottish Government cuts to the social housing budget mean we, and more importantly communities across Aberdeen, face significant challenges.

“However, our staff and volunteers are passionate and utterly determined to do everything they can to support Aberdeen’s communities from their new base in the heart of the city.”