Homelessness in the Highlands reaches three-year high, report shows

The number of people registering as homeless in the Highlands has reached a three-year high, a report shows.

A report due to be discussed by Highland Council’s housing and property committee on Wednesday (November 5) shows that there were 406 homeless presentations in quarter two of this financial year – the highest figure shown on record.

Homeless people are defined in the report as “homeless presentations”, which means they do not have a registered address.

The report explains the increase is “demand-led”, surpassed 400 for the first time.

There are several main drivers behind the homelessness recorded, with relationship breakdowns and being asked to leave by a landlord the two most common reasons given for cases in quarter two.

Becoming homeless as a result of a violent dispute or abuse at home was the reason for 49 people registered as homeless in the same time period.

People aged between 26 and 59 made up the majority of homeless people across the Highlands, with 270 cases recorded within the age bracket. There were also 86 18-25 year olds.

Data from previous years shows that in quarter two of 2025/26 there were 399 homeless people in the region and in 2024/25 there were 356 in the same period – suggesting that homelessness is a growing problem across the Highlands.

This has subsequently increased the number of homeless households living in temporary accommodation, with 497 recorded in quarter two of this financial year.

Although the number is higher than 2025/26 figures it is still an improvement from 2024/25 where over 500 homeless households were placed in temporary accommodation.

The report explains: “Highland continues to focus on achieving permanent outcomes for homeless households and this is reflected in the percentage of lets to homeless households.”