The Rock Trust says the latest Scottish Government pledge is a step in the right direction

Youth homelessness charity the Rock Trust has described plans for an extra £55 million to be spent on affordable housing in Scotland as a “step in the right direction”.

The Scottish Government unveiled the cash, which will be loaned to new charity the Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust, as part of a plan to build up to 1,000 homes for mid-market rent.

Kate Polson, chief executive of The Rock Trust, said: “The Scottish Government’s allocation of funds to constructing more affordable housing is a step in the right direction.

“In the city of Edinburgh the most recent statistics from the Scottish Government show that 3,837 homeless assessments were made in 2014-15 and each year. The Rock Trust helps around 400 young people.

“While such investment is very welcome there is still a need to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Scotland as it is an issue that is often swept under the carpet.”

A recent Centrepoint survey highlighted that 9,800 young people, aged 16-25, per year in Scotland ask for help from their local authorities because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Beyond Statutory Homelessness report also pointed to a clear connection between a lack of affordable housing and the rate that young people are presenting as homeless.

Polson added: “The Centrepoint report clearly shows that Scotland has a huge number of young homeless people for its size and attributes a lack affordable housing to such a figure.”

One of the main ways the Rock Trust raises awareness of youth homelessness is through its annual sleep out event.

On 6 November the charity will host people sleeping outside at Edinburgh’s Festival Square for the night in a bid to raise the profile of one of the region’s biggest social issues.

For more information visit the Rock Trust website.