Homelessness down in Scotland but more social housing needed
Shelter Scotland has warned against complacency after new housing figures show homelessness in Scotland fell in April to June.
Scottish local authorities received 8,917 applications for homelessness assistance - 7% lower than in the same period in 2013.
In addition to the fall in applications, the number assessed as homeless or likely to become homeless within two months also fell by three per cent to around 7,500.
It only adds further weight to our call for more social housing to be built - Graeme Brown
However the housing charity reiterated the need for more social housing to be built in Scotland to alleviate the persistent problem of homelessness.
On June 30, there were just over 10,000 households in temporary accommodation, 2% lower than at the same in 2013.
Of these households, about a quarter was households with children, with 14 households with children in bed and breakfast accommodation.
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “The latest figures show that in June this year over 10,000 people in Scotland were waiting in temporary accommodation for a permanent home. Between April and June nearly 7,500 people were assessed as homeless in Scotland.
“This is particularly relevant on a day when MSPs are debating the progress in delivering more affordable housing and only adds further weight to our call for more social housing to be built.
“We continue to consistently campaign for the Scottish Government to build at least 10,000 new socially rented homes a year to bring hope to homeless households and the 155,100 people currently on local authority housing waiting lists.”
Housing minister Margaret Burgess said she welcomed “the continued fall in homelessness in Scotland.”
She added: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting people of all ages who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and we have worked hard with local authorities to develop services that help prevent homelessness before it occurs and the figures released today show that we are all continuing to make progress,” she said.
Overall Glasgow City remains the local area with the largest number of homeless assistance applications at 1,490, followed by Edinburgh with 1,003.
