This content applies to Scotland only.

Shelter Scotland works to alleviate and prevent homelessness, but how big a problem are we facing? Here you'll find all the latest facts about housing and homelessness in Scotland - and you'll find the figures speak for themselves.

Some of the terms used on this page may be unfamiliar to you; a full description is available in the Housing issues glossary.

Where do homelessness statistics come from?

These figures are taken from the Scottish Government's Statistics Release, published in June 2012, the Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: national and local authority analyses 2011-12, except where noted.

How many people are homeless in Scotland?

• In 2011-12, 45,322 households made homeless applications to their local council in Scotland. This is a 19 per cent decrease on the number of households who made homeless applications in 2010-11.
• In 2011-12, 35,515 households were accepted by their local authority as homeless or potentially homeless, and 32,243 of those households, were assessed as in priority need.
• The number of households accepted as homeless or potentially homeless has decreased by 8 per cent since 2001-2002.
• In 2001-2002, 73 per cent of applications accepted as homeless were in priority need, rising to 91 per cent in 2011-12.
• In 2009-10 there were over 22,000 children living in households accepted as homeless.
  

Who makes homeless applications in Scotland?

Of the people who make homeless applications:

• 42 per cent are single men
• 22 per cent are single women
• 17 per cent are single parents who are female
• 7 per cent are single parents who are male
• 5 per cent are couples with children
• 4 per cent are couples without children

For more detailed information on homeless households by gender, age and household type, please refer to the Scottish Government's statistical release.

How many people are evicted in Scotland?

• In 2011-12 1,107 local authority tenants lost their homes as a result of eviction action.  608 tenants were evicted and 449 abandoned their property after an eviction order had been granted.  [1]
• In 2011-12 767 housing association tenants lost their homes as a result of eviction action. [2]
• The majority of evictions in the social rented sector were for non-payment of rent, with anti-social behaviour accounting for less than 6 per cent of cases.

Why do people become homeless?

The main reasons why people become homeless in Scotland are:

• dispute within household (28 per cent)
• asked to leave accommodation (26 per cent)
• as a result of action by landlord or lender (13 per cent)
• harassment or non-domestic violence  (5 per cent) 
• discharge from hospital, prison or care (5 per cent)

Where do people live before applying as homeless?

The most common previous housing circumstances of homeless people in Scotland are:

• living with family, friends or partner (47 per cent)
  
• council or housing association rented accommodation (12 per cent)
• private sector rented accommodation (16 per cent)
• owner-occupier (6 per cent)
• prison (4 per cent)

How many households live in temporary accommodation in Scotland?

• On 31 December 2012, there were 10,252 households in temporary accommodation across Scotland. 1,063 (10 per cent) of these households were in bed and breakfast hotels. [3]
• The number of households in temporary accommodation decreased by 4 per cent between 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012. [3]
  
• On 31 December 2012, there were 3,080 households with dependent children and pregnant women in temporary accommodation across Scotland. 57 (2 per cent) of these households were living in bed and breakfast hotels and hostels. [3]
• As at 31 December 2012, there were 5,034 dependent children living in temporary accommodation across Scotland. [3]

If you require further information please contact Shelter Scotland on 0344 515 2444.

[1] Scottish Government (2012) Housing Statistics for Scotland

[2] Scottish Housing Regulator (2012) Annual Performance & Statistical Return 2011-12

[3] Scottish Government (2013) Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: Quarterly Update