The number of children living in temporary accommodation across Scotland has hit its highest level in over 20 years.
Homelessness statistics, covering April 1 to September 30, 2024 were released by the Scottish Government on Wednesday.
The report found 10,360 children were living in temporary accommodation last year, a 5% increase from 9,855 in 2023.
There were also 16,634 households in temporary living situations last year, a 6% increase compared to 15,620 households in the previous year.
It marks the highest levels of households and children in temporary accommodation since 2002.
Meanwhile there were 7,545 instances of households not being offered temporary accommodation last year, a notable increase from 2,000 in 2023.
Around 6,320 of the households not being offered temporary accommodation were in Glasgow.
There were 20,823 applications for homelessness assistance, a 295 increase compared to the previous year.
There were 1,785 households reporting a member experiencing rough sleeping in the three months prior to application, and 1,198 the night before.
These are increases of 25% and 32%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023.
Housing minister Paul McLennan said the number of homeless people in Scotland and children in temporary accommodation is “far too high”.
“We are determined to reverse that trend and we are taking decisive action to ensure no one need experience the trauma of being homeless,” he said.
“The key to tackling homelessness is delivering more homes and we have a strong track record in doing so having supported the delivery of 135,000 affordable homes since 2007. That’s 47% more per head of population than England and 73% more than Wales.”

McLennan added that the Government can and will “go further” which includes a £200m boost to the affordable housing programme.
“We are also targeting funding in areas where housing capacity needs to be increased most,” he said.
“This includes £42m to the five local authorities with the most sustained temporary accommodation pressures to increase supply through buying back properties and bringing long-term empty homes back into use.”
The Scottish Government said the funding is expected to deliver 1,000 more homes.
“The draft Budget will also provide record funding of more than £15bn to councils in 2025-26 through the local government finance settlement,” McLennan continued.
“This funding supports the delivery of a range of services, including homelessness services, enabling local authorities to fulfil their statutory homelessness duties.
“An additional £4m will also be made available to support local authorities and frontline services to pilot and scale up homelessness prevention best practice across Scotland.”
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