Edinburgh band join celebrities calling for end to homelessness

In a familiar fusion of music and charity, upcoming Edinburgh rockers Dirty Modern Hero and singer songwriter KT Tunstall are among acts who have signed to support Shelter's "Hometime Scotland campaign."

Launched at the start of the summer, the campaign aims to put pressure on politicians to ensure that homelessness in Scotland is eradicated by 2012, in line with current policy. It has already attracted support from Calvin Harris, The Wombats and Scottish outfit Idlewild.

Speaking of their involvement, Dirty Modern Hero said: "It is clear that the more people who are made aware of this campaign and the current Scottish Government promise, the more power we will have as a nation to ensure that this promise is met and that in only four years time we may have dramatically improved the lives of so many people currently homeless in Scotland."

Under current Scottish legislation, all homeless people should have access to permanent home by 2012. At present, only those deemed in "priority need" have the right to permanent accommodation, whilst others have the right to temporary shelter.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said that the campaign would make sure that politicians kept their promises:

“We've been delighted with the response so far from people as we've been touring around the country. There's hardly anyone who isn't aware of the housing problems we face in Scotland, in particular the need for more homes. The Scottish Government knows this too, which is why we need them to remain focused on providing more affordable rented homes for people in housing need. We have an internationally acclaimed homelessness target to meet in 2012 and we cannot afford to fail.”

He added: “The eyes of many nations will be on this island that year, and not just because of the Olympics. Many nations have already shown an interest in our forward-thinking legislation and we must show it can work.”

On 15 October, The Journal reported that the homeless population in Edinburgh was on the rise, with many being forced into temporary accommodation due to shortages in affordable housing.

Dirty Modern Hero front man Aidan McIvor, a 4th year Medicine student at Edinburgh University, spoke to The Journal of his hopes for the project: “We are supporting the campaign because it’s the chance to tackle an issue that is in your face in Edinburgh. You can’t avoid homelessness; it’s in your face.

“The fact that the campaign is targeting young people is extremely important, and hopefully it will make them more aware, and therefore we will reach out to more people.”

He also stressed the importance of local action: “I think that the local effect is important. This is a campaign for Scotland, and the issue is much closer to home than other campaigns in the past have been. People have a special connection to home, and we can relate to issues that we see every day. The local aspect will hopefully help the campaign to have a bigger impact.”

As well as targeting the support of various musicians, Shelter is running a poll to see which song reminds Scots most of home. So far The Proclaimer’s popular hit ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ and Dougie MacLean’s equally anthemic ‘Caledonia’ are neck and neck at the top of the charities self collated chart.

Adding her support to the campaign, KT Tunstall revealed “My favorite song that reminds me of home would have to be 'Getting Some Fun Out of Life' by Billie Holiday. I love putting it on my old record player. It's the sound of a warm kitchen with a pot on the stove, a bottle of red wine open, and a dance with a good man.”

A special handover between Shelter Scotland and politicians will take place later this month, when the winner of the poll will be announced.