Rise in homelessness reflects government choices say Shelter Scotland

The rise in homelessness reported in statistics published today reflect that Scottish Government's choice to deprioritise the fight against homelessness according to Shelter Scotland.

The latest figures show a record 9,130 children stuck in temporary accommodation, as well as a record number of households in temporary accommodation.

Open homelessness cases are also at a record high, with a 10.6% increase reported between 31st March 2002 and 30th September in the same year, showing the pressure facing homeless services.

The housing and homelessness charity says the rise in the number of households and children in temporary accommodation is being driven by the consistent underfunding of local homelessness services and failure to meet social housing delivery targets.

Shelter Scotland also called for the Scottish Government to reverse swinging cuts to the social housing budget, warning that they will inevitably lead to a long-term increase in homelessness.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said:

"The figures published today must act as a wakeup call for Nicola Sturgeon and her ministers.

"The Scottish Government know how to fix the homelessness and the wider housing emergency in Scotland.

"Over the years they have been presented with endless evidence and testimony that investing in social housing ends homelessness, tackles child poverty and is vital in tackling the housing emergency.

"We must be clear; the Scottish Government have made a choice not to act on that evidence.

"They have chosen to deprioritise social housing in their spending plans by disproportionately slashing that budget.

"They know that this will mean more people in Scotland will become homeless, that the thousands of children currently trapped in temporary accommodation will have an even harder time finding somewhere permanent to call home.

"It is not too late to recognise that these choices will have disastrous consequences for the fight against homelessness and reverse these cuts"