Minister for Social Justice, Iain Gray MSP, will address a conference on homelessness policy and practice in Scotland today, Friday 25 January. Topics for discussion include the forthcoming Homelessness Task Force Report, the future of hostels in Scotland, repeat homelessness and working with homeless drug users.

The conference, entitled 'Homelessness Policy and Practice in Scotland after the Homelessness Task Force Report', has been organised by the Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, with support from the Scottish Executive.

Dr Suzanne Fitzpatrick of the Department of Urban Studies said: "The publication of the Homelessness Task Force report will herald the most significant change in policy on homelessness in Scotland for a generation. This conference showcases the evidence generated by the Homelessness Task Force's research programme, giving leading homelessness researchers an opportunity to present their work."

Following Mr Gray's opening address, leading researchers on homelessness in Scotland will present their work in policy and practice-focused workshops, with contributions from the director of Shelter Scotland and academics from the universities of Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot-Watt.

Further information on the conference can be seen at http://www.gla.ac.uk/urbanstudies/ homelessconf.html

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The 'Homelessness Policy and Practice in Scotland after the Homelessness Task Force Report' conference will be held on Friday 25 January 2002, at the Scottish Engineering Centre, St Enoch Square Conference programme available on request, although the event is fully subscribed

For further information contact: Dr Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, 0141 330 5170. Alternatively contact the University of Glasgow Press Office on 0141 330 3535.

First published: 25 January 2002