STV NewsThe number of live homelessness cases in Scotland has surged to a record high, statistics have revealed.
Figures released on Tuesday showed that 31,870 homelessness applications were ongoing as of March 31.
That’s up from 29,408 last year and 10,642 in 2003 when current records began.
The number of households in temporary accommodation – as well as the amount of children in such homes – is also at a record high, increasing by 9% from last year to surge to 16,330.
The overall number of households assessed as being homeless or threatened with homelessness is at its highest since 2011.
Some 33,619 households were deemed to be homeless or at risk of homelessness in 2023-24, an increase of 1,088 (3%) from the year before.
That includes 38,075 adults and 15,474 children.
the figures show that 40,685 homelessness applications were recorded across the country in 2023-24 – an increase of 1,377 (4%) compared to the year before and the highest since 2011.
The number of rough sleepers in Scotland is also increasing with 2,931 people on the country’s street over the last year – the worst since 2012.
Councils are struggling to meet the high demand for homes across Scotland, with at least a dozen having declared a housing emergency.
The Scottish Government has also declared a national housing emergency.
The Scottish Conservatives said the figures were “scandalous” and should be a source of “shame” for the Scottish Government.
MSP Miles Briggs said: “These figures should be an urgent wake-up call for this SNP Government.
“They need to stop sitting on their hands, and outline how they will finally tackle this emergency, which is leaving more and more Scots without a permanent place to call home.
“After seventeen years of this failed and distracted SNP Government it is clear that they are part of the problem not the solution to Scotland’s housing emergency.”
Housing minister Paul McLennan said the figures were “deeply concerning”.
He added: “They demonstrate the scale of the challenge we face in tackling the housing emergency and I am determined to work with partners to reverse this trend.
“Working with representatives from across the housing sector is crucial. We have made record funding of more than £14bn available to councils in 2024-25 to deliver a range of services, including in homelessness services, and we will continue to support councils to tackle the crisis.
“However, we must stop homelessness from happening in the first place and ensure affordable homes are available when people need them, we are taking action on both fronts.
“We have a strong track record in supporting the delivery of affordable homes with more than 133,000 homes completed since 2007, including more than 94,000 social rented homes. We will continue to build on that record with a total investment of almost £600m in affordable housing this year.
“We have boosted the Affordable Housing Supply budget by £80m over the next two years to further increase the supply of social and affordable homes. Plus, we have committed an additional £2m this year to councils with the greatest and sustained pressures on temporary accommodation to make use of existing housing stock.
“We are also looking for innovative ways to boost investment in housebuilding and as part of this year’s Programme for Government we announced a £100m investment in mid-market rent homes, which will be grown alongside private investment to £500m.
“Our Housing Bill will further strengthen tenants’ rights and introduce rent controls.
“The Bill will also place a stronger emphasis on the prevention of homelessness based on better coordination across systems, including relevant bodies working together to provide all-round support earlier.
“This will help people avoid the crisis of homelessness and the longer-term harms associated with it.”
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