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If you or someone you care for is facing a crisis and in distress we have 
The Access Point
Description
City of Edinburgh Council's The Access Point can help you consider your housing options.
We can advise and assist you with the following:
- Council Housing
- Housing Associations
- Private Renting
- Supported Accommodation
- Emergency/Temporary Accommodation
- Information on Free Food Providers in Edinburgh
- Joint Housing/Social Work Services
- Assessment of your Legal Rights under Homelessness Law
- Accessing appropriate Support Services
- Referrals to Specialist Services for Further Advice and Help.
This could include help to:
- Find a hostel place
- Apply for supported housing
- Apply for a tenancy with the Council, a housing association or a private landlord
- to secure housing support services
- to access other services across the city, such as furniture projects to help you set up your new home
Visits and outreach
If you are unable to come to our council offices because of illness, disability or other reason we can arrange to visit you at home.
We can arrange to visit you in hospital or in prison if you need housing advice and help before discharge or release date.
Meeting with you
Please tell us if you have any special requirements, which could be:
- an interview by a staff member of the same sex
- interpretation and translation services
- help to fill in forms if necessary
- facilities for the hard of hearing or visually impaired
- bringing a friend or advisor to your appointment
Appointments
To make an appointment please ring one of our Customer Advisors on 529 7438.
Interpreter and Translation Services
We have the facility to provide telephone access to an interpretation service for those whose first language is not English. We also endeavour to have an interpreter present at pre-arranged appointments.
Crisis and Emergencies
If you have nowhere to stay tonight we will arrange an emergency interview for you with a duty officer. Please note that at busy times you may have to wait to be interviewed.
If you become homeless after office hours, you can contact the Council’s Out of Hours Service on Freephone 0800 032 5968.
Information on free food providers in Edinburgh
Day & Time | Location | What’s available? | Charge? |
Monday - Sunday 7am-12pm | The Ark 2 New Street | Breakfast (vouchers available) | Small charge |
Monday - Saturday 9am-12pm | St Catherines Convent 4 Lauriston Gardens | Breakfast | Free |
Monday - Sunday 9am-12pm | Salvation Army 77 Bread Street | Hot food, rolls, tea, coffee etc. | Small charge |
Tuesday - Thursday 10am-12pm | EdinburghCityMission Pilrig Christian Centre Arthur Street | Light breakfast (also tinned food to take away when available) | Free |
Monday - Sunday 12pm-1pm | Little Sisters of the Poor 43 Gilmore Place | Sandwiches No table/seating area | Free |
Friday 1pm-4pm | Salvation Army 77 Bread Street | Hot food, rolls, tea, coffee etc. | Small charge |
Monday - Sunday 1pm-4.15pm | Cowgate Centre 22 Holyrood Road | Range of food | Small charge |
Wednesday & Friday 1pm-4pm | Grassmarket Mission Greyfriars Kirk House 85 Candlemaker Row | Hot meal | Free |
Tuesday - Thursday 3pm-9pm | Salvation Army 77 Bread Street | Hot food, rolls, tea, coffee etc. | Small charge |
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 4pm-4.30pm | Missionaries of Charities 18 Hopetoun Crescent | Dinner | Free |
Monday - Sunday 5pm-5.30pm | St Marys 61 York Place | Sandwiches No tables / seating area | Free |
Monday - Friday 5.30pm-6.45pm | St Catherines Convent 4 Lauriston Gardens | Dinner | Free |
Tuesday 5.45pm-8.30pm | Calton Centre 121 Montgomery Street | Soup, tea, coffee (8pm hot meal) | Free |
Monday - Sunday 6pm-7pm | Little Sisters of the Poor 43 Gilmore Place | Sandwiches No table / seating area | Free |
Wednesday & Thursday 6pm-7.30pm | Jericho House 53 Lothian Street | Soup & Sandwiches | Free |
Monday - Sunday 6pm-9pm | Barony Contact Point 67a York Place | Tea & Coffee | Small Charge |
Tuesday & Thursday 7pm-9pm | EdinburghCityMission Pilrig Christian Centre Arthur Street | Hot Food | Free |
Monday 7pm-9pm Tuesday 6pm-7pm Friday 6pm-6.30pm | Grassmarket Mission Greyfriars Kirk House 85 Candlemaker Row | Hot Meal | Free |
Monday - Sunday 7pm-9.30pm | Oasis (same address) | Hot Meal | Free |
Thursday 7.30pm-9.30pm | St Georges West Shandwick Place | Soup, Tea, Coffee | Free |
Monday - Sunday 9pm-9.45pm | Care Van Waverley Bridge | Soup, rolls, tea, coffee | Free |
Monday - Sunday 9.45pm-11.30pm | Care Van Old Town | Soup, rolls, tea, coffee | Free |
Monday - Sunday 10.15pm-midnight | Cowgate Centre 22 Holyrood Road | Hot food, soup, sandwiches | Small charge |
Sunday 8.30am-9am | Carruber’s Christian Centre 6 High Street (Chalmers Close) | Pies, rolls, tea | Free |
Sunday 9.30am-10am | South Leith Church 6 Henderson Street | Takeaway breakfast | Free |
Sunday 10am-2pm | Jericho House 53 Lothian Street | Soup, tea, sandwiches | Free |
Sunday 10am-4pm | Barony Contact Point 67a York Place | Hot food (1pm-2pm) | £1 |
Sunday 12pm-1pm | Little Sisters of the Poor 43 Gilmore Place | Sandwiches No tables / seating area | Free |
Sunday 1pm-4.15pm | Cowgate Centre 22 Holyrood Road | Range of food | Small charge |
Sunday 4pm-4.30pm | Missionaries of Charities 18 Hopetoun Crescent | Dinner | Free |
Sunday 5pm-5.30pm | St Mary’s 61 York Place | Sandwiches No tables / seating area | Free |
Sunday 6pm-7pm
| Little Sisters of the Poor 43 Gilmore Place | Sandwiches No tables / seating area | free |
Sunday 9pm-9.45pm | Care Van Waverley Bridge | Soup, rolls, tea, coffee, blankets (when available) | Free |
Sunday 9.45pm-11.30pm | Care Van Old Town | Soup, tea, rolls, coffee, blankets (when available) | Free |
Sunday 10.15pm-12.15am | Cowgate Centre 22 Holyrood Road | Range of food | Small charge |
Service Categories
- Drop ins : Other Drop-in Service
Eligibility
Referral
This service accepts direct self referrals
Costs : the service is free.
Contact
Service Provided by : City of Edinburgh Council
Organisation Type : Local Council
17 - 23 Leith Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3AT
Show Map
Email :Gavin.Snape@edinburgh.gov.uk
Phone: 0131 529 7438
Fax: 0131 557 8122
Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 10:00am-5:00pm Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
Service Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 10:00am-5:00pm Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
Facilities
Service is accessible to wheelchair users.
Creche facilities are not available at this location.
A translation service is available.
Other details :
Transport
Public Transport Information:
Any bus that travels along Princes Street
Lothian Buses Site for routes and timetables.
Parking :On street parking on nearby streets
