Latest homelessness statistics wake up call

The latest homelessness statistics released by the Scottish Government, show a 2% increase in homeless applications, a total of 14,607 homelessness assessments and a 10% increase in children in temporary accommodation between April and September 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. 

Commenting on the statistics, Adam Lang, Head of Communications and Policy at Shelter Scotland, said:

“These figures show that on average between April to September 2017 a household in Scotland became homeless every 18 minutes. This is just not acceptable in 21st century Scotland.

“This must be a wake-up call for local and national government that Scotland’s progress on tackling homelessness has stalled and in some places, is getting worse.

“Shelter Scotland has been warning for some time now that the situation is critical and with these figures revealing another increase in homeless children in temporary accommodation (up 10 per cent) we need urgent strategic action to reverse this trend.

“These are not just numbers, they represent thousands of people’s lives suffering the human tragedy of homelessness. Among them are 6,581 children without a permanent place to call home, which causes significant and lasting damage to their health, schooling and life chances.

“It is now time for leadership and strategic action on homelessness at a local and national level that makes a real difference on the ground for everyone in Scotland at risk of or suffering homelessness.”

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