Shelter Scotland today made a further plea to the Scottish Government to fund the building of more homes, after new figures released today (Tuesday) show over 9,000 households were stuck in temporary accommodation.

The plea for extra cash to build 30,000 affordable rented homes over the next three years comes on the back of new figures published by the Scottish Government - and ahead of the publication of a discussion paper on the future of housing in Scotland tomorrow (Wednesday).

The snapshot figure showing over 9,000 households in temporary accommodation in March this year - alongside over 200,000 [2] people on main house waiting lists - clearly shows the need for more affordable rented homes in Scotland, say the charity.

The forthcoming spending review is Scotland's best chance to secure the funding needed to build more homes. Spending plans for the next three years are due to be announced mid-November. Shelter Scotland, along with other housing organisations in Scotland, have been calling for an extra £750 million, above normal spending levels, to be invested in housing Scotlands people.

Responding to today's figures, director of Shelter Scotland, Archie Stoddart, said: 'It's very disappointing there were 9,164 households living in temporary accommodation [1] in March this year - an increase of ten per cent on last year's figures. Local authorities across Scotland are working hard to house people, but they need help in providing permanent housing for people, not just those who are homeless but those who are on waiting lists too.

'The Scottish Government must find the money in the forthcoming spending review to build 30,000 affordable rented homes, or we risk seeing more and more families trapped in temporary housing, unable to get on with their lives.

'Whilst there are some encouraging signs in the decline in overall numbers of applications, the challenge ahead remains significant. We wait with interest to see what the Scottish Government will unveil in its discussion paper tomorrow (Wednesday) on how we address the problems in the housing system.'

Notes to Editors

1. Statistical Bulletin: Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: national and local analyses 2006/7. This bulletin shows that on March 31, 2007, there were 9, 164 households in temporary accommodation across Scotland.
2. Housing Trends in Scotland: Quarter Ending 31 March 2006.
3. Shelter Scotland, along with other housing organisations, are calling for 30,000 affordable rented homes for Scotland through this year's comprehensive spending review. For more information visit the media room at www.shelter.org.uk/csr_media
4. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk