Haymarket Street in Edinburg

Hame means home, in the same way we use it. “Going hame” is a term for death. Oddly enough, “coming Hame” means being born. I find this very confusing.

Every society has its fears. Americans fear loss of freedom, to the point that guns are still legal in most places. Germany fears nationalism; people don’t fly flags there. Ireland sends more abroad per capita for famine relief than any other country on Earth, tough the potato famine was a century and a half ago.

Scots fear homelessness. There are some nasty historical reasons that I won’t go into. During the industrial revolution, thousands of Scots came to Glasgow for work during the winter. Rooms were first come, first serve, sometimes by the night. If you were late, you slept outside.

Even older, though, is the very real problem of being stuck outside. Between the frequent rain, the moderate temperatures (hypothermia can set in at 60 degrees F.), and constant ocean winds, and a solid night or two out without good clothing can mean death. You simply must get inside.

The modern Scottish government has strict rules about evicting tenants that make Americans look truly heartless. There’s a difference between can’t pay the rent and won’t pay the rent. If it’s the former, government programs will intervene to assure that the people aren’t forced to move out. People living in spare bedrooms, on people’s couches, or “in their parent’s basement” are all considered homeless and can get relocation services. People who do lose their homes often have their belongings stored by the government rather than having them dumped on the curve, which is the custom over here.

Families obviously get stable homes first, but everyone is considered important. Shelters freak at the idea of turning anyone away; getting within a few beds short is an emergency. Old shelters too unpleasant to go to have been closed and other arrangements are being made.

Naturally in cities in the south still have people living on the streets, . There are people who won’t change their lives to fit into the system. One man in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania told a priest that he needed a place for himself and his three dogs. When told they’d have to separate, the person refused. But these people are rare in Scotland, and on cold nights they aren’t turned away.

photo credit: byronv2 via photopin cc