Shelter Scotland urges Dundee to declare housing emergency as ‘increase in homelessness cannot be ignored’

Dundee is facing a devastating housing emergency, with 225 children currently living in temporary accommodation, rising homelessness, and families trapped for months or even years without stable homes.

Shelter Scotland is warning that “business as usual” is not working and that without urgent action, the situation will continue to deteriorate. In response, Shelter Scotland worked in partnership with other organisations in Dundee to form the Dundee Housing Emergency Coalition. Together, they have brought forward a Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP) aimed at fighting the city’s housing emergency head-on.

The plan sets out practical measures to reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation, strengthen housing rights, and create a fairer housing system for the city. The coalition is calling on Dundee City Council to formally declare a housing emergency and adopt the HEAP as a first step toward meaningful change.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson said:

“Dundee is already living with the consequences of a housing emergency – whether politicians want to accept it or not.

“The people of Dundee won’t sit back and wait for politicians to step up any longer. Dundee’s Housing Emergency Coalition has come together to make a plan; it is now decision makers’ turn to act’.

“Latest statistics show there are 225 children in temporary accommodation and a 24% rise in homeless applications in 2024/25. The cost of inaction is being paid by people already being pushed to the edge by this emergency, and that cannot be ignored.

“Decision makers have a chance to be bold, take the lead, and show Dundee they’re willing to face up to the scale of the challenge. Declaring a housing emergency, adopting the HEAP, and demanding the investment and support they need from the Scottish and UK Government to tackle the housing emergency, would be the first steps in what would be a clear signal that the council is ready to work with communities and take the urgent action this demands.

“The choice is simple - accept that Dundee is in a housing emergency and take the action needed to fix it or continue to ignore the scale of the challenge.”

Amy’s* story:

A mum of two from Dundee was facing homelessness after experiencing domestic abuse. Amy*, who has been on the council housing waiting list for 14 years, first approached Dundee City Council in December 2024 to seek temporary accommodation for herself and her two children.

Amy said: “I believe Dundee City Council is in a housing emergency. I’m a mum of two from Dundee, and I’ve been on the council housing waiting list for 14 years, moving from one private let to another. It’s financially crippling.

“In 2024, after experiencing domestic abuse, I faced homelessness. In December 2024, I approached the council for temporary accommodation. A few months later I was told I had to accept the temporary property on the spot just to make a homeless application, then after 28 days I would be put back into my home, before being moved again.

“I was in floods of tears. One of my children is autistic and uprooting them so many times would have been upsetting. But the area isn’t safe, they don’t leave the house. This is why we needed to be moved.

“I was also told I’d have to pay rent for both my private let and temporary accommodation. I just couldn’t do that.

“I contacted Shelter Scotland, the woman who helped me was lovely, and took the time to explain to me my rights. Now I’m able to help others.

“I was finally taken seriously in October, and I submitted a homeless application. If I’d been given the right information from the start, it might not have taken so long, and we could have been moved earlier.”

ENDS