Shelter Scotland response to the Edinburgh Poverty Commission call for Evidence: "Pockets"

Edinburgh Poverty Commission was launched in November 2018 and will be working throughout this year to define the steps the city needs to make to reduce, mitigate, and prevent poverty in Edinburgh.

The first phase of the commission's work focuses on the theme of ‘Pockets’ – the pressures that keep incomes low and living costs high for people in Edinburgh.

This response sets out Shelter Scotland's views on poverty and wellbeing in Edinburgh,and outlines several areas which trap people in low income and poverty, and what we understand to be the impact on people's lives. This includes:

Lack of affordable housing in Edinburgh

How the homelessness system and temporary accommodation works

The impact of welfare reform, including the freeze to working age benefits.