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Homelessness applications rise in Scotland
Homelessness applications in Scotland rose by 2% in the six months to September last year, statistics from the Scottish government have revealed.
During the period, there were 18,486 applications for homelessness assistance, 284 more than the same period in 2017.
The overall trend since 2010 has been a decrease in homelessness applications, but since 2015 figures have levelled out.
According to the statistics, in the year to September 2018, the largest increase in numbers of homelessness applications was in North Lanarkshire, the fourth most populous council area of Scotland, situated to the north-east of the city of Glasgow.
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In North Lanarkshire, applications increased by 452, or 23%, from 1,931 to 2,383, over the 12-month period.
The figures also reveal that the number of households in temporary accommodation has increased by 0.5%, while the number of children in Scotland in temporary accommodation has gone up by 4% and now stands at 6,826.
This number in particular has been rising in recent years, going up by 10% this time last year.
Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: “Providing more good-quality, affordable homes is an important part of the solution, but it is not the only part.
“SFHA is calling for a radical change in how we help people experiencing homelessness – so that there is ‘no wrong door’ – by extending powers to housing associations to undertake homelessness assessments and making additional resources available to help people in need.”
In July last year, the government’s homelessness action group recommended a move to a ‘rapid rehousing’ approach, meaning a settled home should be provided as quickly as possible, the time in temporary accommodation should be minimised and when temporary accommodation is used, it should be mainstream, furnished and in a community.
Callum Chomczuk, national director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, added: “This rise in the number of homelessness applications is a worrying development and highlights the need for continued investment in the supply of affordable housing in this parliament and beyond.
“The transition to a rapid rehousing approach is a welcome move towards helping to eradicate homelessness in Scotland but we must ensure that there are enough homes available to prevent people, and particularly children, from spending long periods in temporary accommodation.”
