Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour is causing significant disruption in Edinburgh, Scotland, as homeless individuals are being displaced to make room for the influx of tourists expected to attend her concert in June.
Shelter Scotland informed the BBC on Wednesday that many homeless people supported by the charity were transported to Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Newcastle via taxis to free up accommodations in Edinburgh. These cities are more than two hours away from the original locations where the homeless individuals were staying.
Due to the “severe shortage in accommodation caused by the concert,” several homeless people, who had previously been offered temporary housing in hotels, were moved out. Shelter Scotland called this displacement “a blatant injustice,” stating that the homeless were in “direct competition” with tourists for accommodations.
“Our frontline services are already seeing people in need of a bed tonight being told their only option is to leave the city,” said Alison Watson, the charity’s director. “A family going through the trauma of homelessness in Edinburgh should not have to move miles from their job, school, and community to find emergency accommodation.”
The BBC reported that the Edinburgh City Council initially refused to move homeless people who were already staying in temporary accommodations. However, it appears that individuals awaiting new housing were the most affected by this situation.
“We’re aware of the situation and are working with the affected households to find appropriate, alternative accommodation,” said Housing Convenor Councillor Jane Meagher in a statement.
The displacement of homeless individuals in Edinburgh underscores the broader issue of housing shortages and the impact of major events on vulnerable populations. While the city prepares to welcome thousands of Taylor Swift fans, the homeless community faces the harsh reality of being pushed out to make room for the tourists.
This situation has sparked a debate about the priorities of local authorities and the need for a more compassionate approach to handling homelessness, especially during large events that draw significant numbers of visitors. Shelter Scotland’s criticism highlights the urgent need for better planning and resources to ensure that the most vulnerable residents are not overlooked or displaced in favor of tourist accommodations.
As Taylor Swift’s concert date approaches, the affected individuals and advocacy groups like Shelter Scotland continue to call for immediate action to address the housing crisis exacerbated by such large-scale events.