Aberdeen Council first in Scotland to tackle homelessness with new technology-led approach

A city council has become the first in Scotland to adopt a technology-led approach to tackling homelessness.

The Aberdeen local authority has partnered with an online fundraising platform set up with the aim of helping homeless people and council tenants at risk.

Beam has helped around 850 homeless people into stable jobs and homes since it was first launched five years ago.

The scheme will initially support 30 homeless residents in Aberdeen into jobs over a 12 month period.

Residents deemed to be at risk will be referred to the scheme by the council’s housing service, and each person will be assigned a caseworker from Beam.

The platform allows residents to fundraise for the cost of items that could be a financial obstacle to starting work, such as job training, childcare, a laptop and, travel costs.

As well as providing funding support, Beam has also built tools to aid jobseekers with CV writing, job interview preparation, and online job applications.

Residents are then matched with employers it has partnerships with.

It comes amid an Aberdeen Council commitment to reduce homelessness across the city before eradicating it completely by 2024.

Convener for Operational Delivery Committee, Councillor Miranda Radley, said: “We are delighted that Aberdeen is the first local authority in Scotland to work in partnership with Beam.

“Offering individuals the support they need in getting back into employment is paramount in finding a route out of homelessness for good.”

Council co-leader Ian Yuill, said: “Eradicating homelessness in Aberdeen is an ambitious target but one we are determined to achieve.

“Working collaboratively with organisations like this, we can end homelessness in Aberdeen.”

Seb Barker, co-founder and chief operating officer of Beam, said: “Beam is using technology to empower the most disadvantaged people in our society, by giving them an online support network and all the tools they need to accelerate their journey into stable work or housing.

“We look forward to working with local employers in Aberdeen who want to play their part in improving social mobility and hiring overlooked talent to fill skills shortages.”