WORK is going on at pace to try and ease the housing crisis in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

Cowdenbeath Rotary Club was told on Thursday that the word ‘crisis’ was no over-statement on the situation that last year saw more than 300 people find themselves without a home in the district.

Fife Council’s housing chief, Gavin Smith, told the meeting that in Fife as a whole, 2,700 people found themselves without a home last year with the total for the area, running from Crossgates to Benarty and Cardenden, being 330.

Gavin, himself a Cardenden man, said that the reasons for people finding themselves without a home were many, but a large percentage of these situations were caused by mental health issues and domestic abuse.

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But the Turning Point organisation was now operational in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and was seeking to make a difference to the situation.

“Statistics show that one in eight people in Scotland will face homelessness at some stage in their life and it is something that is currently a major problem in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area,” he said.

“Mental health issues, and the breakdown in domestic relations are key factors in the situation that we now face, and it is important that the gravity of all this is realised.”

He said that Turning Point was working with Fife Council in trying to help people deal with homelessness problems and were active in the Cowdenbeath area.

“Turning Point are very strong on helping people with mental health issues and sessions that have been held in the Maxwell Centre, in Cowdenbeath, have been very successful in offering assistance,” added Gavin.

“A reduction in the availability of private rented accommodation in this area is a big factor in the shortage of options for people searching for a home, and it is likely that the availability will shrink over the next two years, which is worrying.”

He said that an increase in social housing capacity would greatly help, but when that would occur was a problem.

“There is so much that needs to be done, but we are committed to doing everything we can to help those searching for a home find accommodation that can help them progress their lives and tackling the housing crisis is a top priority.”