New figures lead to renewed call for housing emergency declaration in Dundee

A leading charity has renewed calls for Dundee City Council to declare a housing emergency after shocking new statistics showed the local homelessness service is struggling to meet demand.

Figures obtained by Shelter Scotland via a freedom of information request show a 404% increase in breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2023/24 compared to the previous year. [1]

The number of households in temporary accommodation in Dundee also increased by 28% [2], while the number of children living in temporary accommodation also went up. [3]

Earlier this year the Scottish Housing Regulator said there was an ‘emerging risk of systemic failure’ in Dundee City Council’s homelessness services. [4]

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said:

“These figures show that people in Dundee are being denied their housing rights, and that the council is breaking the law, with alarming regularity.

“Combined with the rising numbers of households and children stuck in temporary accommodation it’s clear that Dundee is in a housing emergency.

“By declaring a housing emergency, councillors in Dundee would show they understand the scale of the challenge, that they’re willing to be bold, and to take the lead in driving forward the kind of action the city needs.

“We know the council can’t be expected to shoulder the responsibility on its own, Scottish and UK ministers have to play their part, but these figures show in the clearest terms that business as usual isn’t working; an emergency situation demands an emergency response from every level of government.”