Annual statistics show a 6% rise in the numbers of people in temporary accommodation 

Scottish charities have warned that the country’s housing emergency is “deepening” as new figures show a rise in people using temporary accommodation. 

Annual Scottish Government figures reveal the number of households in temporary accommodation increased by 6% compared to March 2024, reaching the highest in the series at 17,240 at 31 March 2025. This is 4% higher than at 30 September 2024.

The number of households reporting rough sleeping the night before application has increased from 1,932 to 2,465 and in the three months prior from 3,058 to 3,579 between 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The average time spent in temporary accommodation for cases that closed in 2024-25 was 238 days. This is ten days higher than 2023-24 and compares to 305 days, on average, for cases that are still open.

A decrease in homelessness applications for the first time in four years. There was a total of 40,688 applications, 366 (1%) less than 2023-24.

Citizens Advice Scotland housing spokesperson Aoife Deery said: “These new figures show without doubt the deepening nature of the national housing emergency with over 17,000 households in temporary accommodation last year, an increase of 6%.  Demand for housing advice from our advisers in bureaux across Scotland is also growing, which highlights the value of advice as people face unimaginable uncertainty about their homes.  

“Last year, the Scottish CAB network gave housing advice more than 62,000 times, an increase of 7% on the year before, with a particular surge in demand for advice on homelessness. We need the Scottish Government to immediately implement its housing emergency action plan, published earlier this month. 

“We can see from the statistics that over 400 people became homeless from the private rented sector due to arrears, 15% higher than the year before. Affordability is no doubt a significant factor in this. The average rent debt that private renters come to the CAB network with is now £4,279, 14% higher than last year: people simply do not have enough money to cover rents. Alongside the emergency action plan, we need to see the implementation of the rent control measures contained in the Housing (Scotland) Bill 

“We also need the UK Government to urgently review Local Housing Allowance and re-align it with real rents. There is a critical opportunity to do this at the Autumn Budget, in line with other social security payments.  

“These are the actions we need from governments to ensure that everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure and sustainable home.”

The Salvation Army is urging all political parties to make preventing and ending homelessness a key part of their manifestos for next year’s election campaigns.

The charity also revealed new data that shows the prevalence of mental health issues in people experiencing homelessness demonstrating the importance of the right kind of support. Analysis of people receiving help from The Salvation Army found half of all those who are homeless and receiving support from The Salvation Army are struggling with mental health issues, with more than 30% were not registered with a GP when they arrived.

A further 27% of people reported sleeping rough at least one night before taking up a residential placement and frequently for many more nights prior to that.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in the UK and around 7000 people annually are helped or accommodated by The Salvation Army in Scotland from Glasgow to the Highlands.

Helen Murdoch, who leads homelessness services in Scotland for The Salvation Army, said: “Scotland will never beat homelessness unless we are able to tackle the reasons people become homeless in the first place. Underlying issues such as poverty, trauma, abuse, addiction and mental health issues all increase the risk. That is why we are calling on all political parties at Holyrood to make homelessness prevention and wrap around support a priority going into next year’s election. 

“We know from our own data for last year that poor mental health is a factor for at least half of the people we support. Our Breaking the Cycle report identifies that in Scotland we have seen an 87% rise in the number of homeless households with both mental health and substance use support needs over the past 10 years(3). The Scottish Government, councils, health providers and charities working together, with proper funding, can prevent homelessness before it starts and save lives this winter.”

James currently lives in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh and began working for The Salvation Army this year after previously being a resident in its homeless accommodation. 

He said: “I’m actively trying to get a permanent home after bouts of homelessness throughout my life. An integrated approach is needed and a whole load of support measures put in place to help people tackle trauma, criminal justice issues, addiction and mental health challenges like anxiety. All this ought to be addressed together, with the person at the centre. When you’re homeless you don’t have security and it’s hard to project into the future when you’re cold, lonely, hungry and tired – who wouldn’t be anxious, no one wants to live like that.”