Leading housing charity Shelter say new annual homelessness statistics released today (Monday) show Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis - despite progress being made towards the Scottish Government's 2012 homelessness target.

With over 40,000 homeless households in Scotland and thousands of people stuck in temporary accommodation, the charity said this was no time to be complacent about the problem of homelessness and a lack of housing.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, warned that without a major boost to the supply of affordable rented housing, Scotland could see a rise in the already substantial backlog of households stuck in temporary accommodation.

Today's figures show an 11 per cent rise in the number of households in temporary accommodation, from 8,577 in March 2007 to 9,518 in March 2008 - including 3,986 households with children or pregnant women.

Mr Brown said: "We're heartened that overall Scotland is making progress towards its internationally acclaimed homelessness target. But these figures also show a serious backlog in the number of people living in temporary accommodation - and we have no guarantee that in these hard economic times, this figure will not rise. Living in temporary accommodation is destructive to people's lives, giving them no sense of having somewhere safe and secure to live.

"The Scottish Government is making the right moves, bringing forward cash to invest in housing sooner rather than later, focusing on preventing homelessness and investing in safety nets for those who fall off the housing ladder through repossession.

"We must see the figures for temporary accommodation dropping, as the number of people entitled to permanent accommodation rise. Local authorities up and down the country are crying out for more homes to house people. More cash for affordable rented housing is vital to give people not just the right to a home under legislation, but also the keys to one."                                               

The figures also show a substantial rise in the number of breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order (3), from 34 breaches in March 2007, to 62 breaches in March 2008.

Mr Brown said: "We're disappointed to see such a substantial rise in the number of households being housed in B & B, when it should only be used as a last resort as they are unsuitable, overcrowded and lack privacy. The Scottish Government must ensure an adequate supply of suitable permanent accommodation to make sure local authorities can move families on from temporary housing at the first opportunity."                                                                               

Notes to Editors:

1. By 2012 all unintentionally homeless people should have access to a permanent home, under Scottish legislation. Currently, only people designated to be in 'priority need' - generally families with children - have the right to permanent homes. All others have access to only temporary accommodation and support. By 2012, there will be no distinction and everyone will have the right to a home. The new figures show that in 2007/8, 40,299 households were assessed as homeless. 79.7 per cent of those households were determined to be 'priority need' - by 2012 that figure should be 100 per cent.  
2. Statistical Bulletin: Operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland: national and local analyses 2006/7. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/29091120/0
3. The Unsuitable Accommodation (Scotland) (Order) 2004 came into effect in December 2004. It requires that no families with children should be housed in 'unsuitable' accommodation and if it is provided under 'specific circumstances', then the maximum amount of time that a family can stay in the unsuitable accommodation is 14 days (unless the family consents to a longer period). Anything other than that is a "breach".
4. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
5. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk