Analysis briefing on the Scottish Government Homelessness in Scotland 2018/19 statistical release

Key points:

Homelessness in Scotland has gone up across almost every indicator between and 2017/18 & 2018/19.

Last year there were 36,465 homeless applications in Scotland.

Shelter Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to do more to prevent homelessness and to properly resource local authorities to respond to those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Attempts to transform support for people becoming homeless (Housing First) risk being thwarted as local authorities buckle under increasing demand and the need to cut costs.

Despite new initiatives around homelessness, the system is overwhelmed by extremely high levels of need.