Every day last year, 60 children – the equivalent of three primary school classes – were made homeless [1], whilst Scottish Ministers delayed important guidance to councils and other agencies that would ensure children's needs are prioritised.

Now, housing charity Shelter Scotland is calling on Ministers to follow up on promises made almost a year ago and implement the Government's 'Meeting the Best Interests of Children Facing Homelessness' guidance [2] as a matter of urgency.

The call comes ahead of the charity's annual conference to put the spotlight on child and youth homelessness, being held on Tuesday [3], and as it publishes its yearly report to lay bare the scale of the problem and the impact of homelessness on children. [1].

The new Shelter Scotland report shows that across Scotland, 22,000 children were homeless last year – that's enough children to fill three primary one classes every day. And nearly half of homeless children (44 per cent) are under five years old.

155,000 children live in homes that have condensation or damp, putting them at a higher risk of asthma and other respiratory problems – this is the same as if everyone in Dundee were living in places with damp or condensation. And 128,000 children are living in fuel poverty.

The report also shows that over the last three years there has been a 37 per cent rise in the number of households with children living in temporary accommodation, compared to a general rise of 19 per cent for other groups, suggesting pressure on supply of suitable housing for families. [4]

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, said: 'Last year, at a Shelter Scotland conference, the Scottish Government launched draft guidance on taking into account the best interests of homeless children. A year ago, the minister said that the final guidance would be published in a couple of months. A year on we are still waiting.

'The best interests of children guidance is aimed at ensuring that professionals put children's needs first.  For example, making sure children don't have to move schools if they become homeless, that they have somewhere to do their homework, or if they don't turn up with their uniform that their teacher knows it's for a valid reason. If we cannot get that right what does it say about Scotland's commitment to homeless and badly-housed children? The message we're in danger of sending out to the thousands of homeless children is 'no interest' rather than 'best interests'.'

He added: 'For the 22,000 children in homeless families, we must ensure child homelessness becomes a relic of the past not a pitiful blight on a 21st century Scotland.'

Tam Baillie, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: 'Legislation that places a child's best interests at the centre exists through the Children Scotland Act, but it is one thing to enshrine children's rights in law and another to see it delivered. Homelessness violates children's rights in many ways. It undermines their education, health and security in ways that impact not only on their present lives but their futures. I am particularly concerned at the high numbers of children who experience disruption and stress in the early years of their lives, when we know how crucial these years are to successful development.'

Douglas Hamilton, Head of Save the Children in Scotland, added: 'Too many children in our country are not being given a fair start in life. It is simply unacceptable that thousands of children are being denied basic necessities such as a safe, warm home. Poverty affects a child's future life chances and also denies them the chance of a childhood that most of us take for granted.  We cannot allow this to continue.  Strong action is required now to end child poverty and ensure that every parent in Scotland has the resources to meet the essential needs of their children.'

At this week's conference, and in its report, Shelter Scotland will call for five areas of action for Scotlands homeless children:

• The Scottish Government to implement guidance on working in the best interests of children facing homelessness as a matter of urgency to ensure children’s needs are prioritised. 
• More high quality housing designed for young people and families with children, in areas they want to live, to address the backlog of children living in temporary accommodation.
• An amendment to the current Housing Bill going through Parliament to ensure all homeless households would firstly, get a support assessment at the time of making an application and secondly, that services are provided which meet that assessment. This would help ensure families and young people can keep and maintain their tenancy and help prevent repeat homelessness. [5]
• All evictions from social tenancies for families to be a genuine 'last resort'.
• Improved quality of temporary accommodation through the introduction of minimum standards all temporary accommodation has to meet.

Notes to editors

1. Read the report: The facts: bad housing and homelessness for children and young people in Scotland 2010.
2. The published guidance is expected to be an important and valuable tool in making sure that children facing homelessness are at the centre of decision making which affects their lives and well being.
3. The conference – Housing–the missing piece of the jigsaw? – will be held in Edinburgh on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Key note speeches from experts in the field will including Graeme Brown, Director, Shelter Scotland and Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. Other speakers include: Douglas Hamilton, Head of Scotland, Save the Children Scotland; Phil Robinson, Chief Executive, Quarriers and Robin McKendrick, Policy Team Leader, The Scottish Government, Getting It Right For Every Child Team.
   
4. Recent homelessness statistics released last week by the Scottish Government show a drop of two per cent year on year in households with children living in temporary accommodation. However, the figures in the Shelter Scotland report shows a 37 per cent rise over a three year period, rather than the single 12 month snapshot.
5. Read Shelter Scotland's paper on 'Access to support to prevent homelessness: proposals for the Housing Bill'.
6. Shelter Scotland believes everyone should have a home. The charity helps 170,000 people a year across the UK fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Scotland’s housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
7. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.