Heartbreaking images show row of homeless people sleeping on freezing Edinburgh streets

07.11.2022 - 14:41 / dailyrecord.co.uk

The heartbreaking reality of homelessness has been captured in stark images that show rough sleepers lying on the cold Edinburgh streets. Some don't even have sleeping bags or blankets to battle the plunging temperatures as others sleep in doorways and pavements.

Ten people were spotted sleeping rough within a one-mile radius of Edinburgh city centre on Saturday, November 5. Local charity Steps to Hope were on patrol when they came across several people experiencing homelessness, including youngsters.

As reported in Edinburgh Live, one young man helped by the charity was outside shivering before he was handed a coffee but thankfully he told volunteers he had somewhere to go. Following the coronavirus pandemic, homelessness appears to be on the rise in the city after efforts were made in the capital to tackle the issue.

Sharing the heartbreaking images, local charity Steps to Hope said: "Within the space of one mile we came across ten rough sleepers in the city centre! This means there will be a lot more people bedding down in our city with no roof over their heads…..UNACCEPTABLE.

"One young lad had no sleeping bag or covers and was shaking with the cold. He said he had somewhere to go and headed off with his coffee.

"Another man who we know is coming to our kitchen tonight to get a shower and we will make calls on his behalf to try to secure him accommodation. His clothes were all torn so we will purchase him fresh clothing when he comes. Please if you can donate so we can get him kitted out.

"We are truly saddened by what we have seen this morning, the world with Covid has went back to normal but the homeless within our country just can't go back to how it was!"

On World Homeless Day earlier last month Cllr Jane Meagher,