​New figures show more children living in temporary accommodation

A rise in the number of children living in temporary accommodation is “deeply concerning”, a leading charity has warned.

Figures released today (31 March) by the Scottish Government show 4,333 homeless children are living in temporary accommodation - an increase of 199 children compared to last year.

It comes against an overall drop in homelessness.

Around 7,900 homelessness applications were received by local authorities between October and December 2014, a 5% drop on the same period in 2013.

The number of people assessed as homeless, or likely to become homeless within two months, also fell by 1% to around 6,800, according to figures published by Scotland's chief statistician.

Thousands of people across Scotland are struggling to get out of temporary accommodation - Graeme Brown

However, Shelter Scotland said that on average families and individuals spend 18 weeks in temporary accommodation and that households with children spend more time in temporary housing on average than households without children.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “The increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation is deeply concerning, particularly as they include 4,333 homeless children – an increase of 199 children compared to last year.

“To compound their hardship, we know that too many families and individuals are spending extended periods, six month or even longer, in a home they can’t call their own.”

One in four households spend six months or longer in a home they cannot call their own, the charity said.

Brown added: “Thousands of people across Scotland are struggling to get out of temporary accommodation and into a home of their own. At the heart of this is a chronic housing crisis with a lack of affordable accommodation across Scotland.”

The charity wants at least 10,000 new socially rented homes a year made available to alleviate homelessness.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said the figures showed significant progress had been made in reducing homelessness in Scotland.

"Rather than only accepting a homelessness application councils are working with employability, mental health, money advice and family mediation services to prevent homelessness happening in the first place,” she said.