Housing campaigners have branded figures showing almost 200 children are living in temporary accommodation in Stirling as “disgraceful”.
The latest Scottish Government data on homelessness has revealed an improvement in the Stirling area for the second straight year in the number of people assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness.
A total of 450 people were included under that measurement for 2021/22, a slight reduction on the 465 for the same point the previous year and a sharp drop on the 593 recorded in 2019/20.
It means that the number of households in Stirling assessed as homeless sat at 573 per 100,000 of the population - well below the national average of 632.
However, that figure has been matched by high totals for the numbers living in temporary accommodation in the region - a situation which has been characterised by long waits as homeless people in Stirling wait almost a year on average for a permanent roof over their heads.
The same report outlines that 354 households were living in temporary digs in Stirling in 2022, with 190 children among that number.
Meanwhile, the average total time spent in temporary accommodation in Stirling has also witnessed a sharp rise over the last year - 322 days in 2022 compared to 239 the previous year.
This increase of 83 days was the second-largest such increase measured across all of Scotland’s council areas, with only Edinburgh reporting a faster rise.
The situation has come under fire from national housing charity Shelter Scotland, who have called for urgent action to improve access to social housing.
Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, said: “The increasing number of households trapped in temporary accommodation in Stirling reflects the seriousness of the housing emergency across Scotland.
“It is disgraceful that there are nearly 200 children in Stirling without somewhere permanent to call home. A home is a right, not a privilege, but too many people are being denied that right. The only solution is to urgently increase the supply of social homes. Decades of under-investment in social housing is what’s driving the housing emergency and only by arresting and reversing that decline can we make sure everyone has access to the home they need.”
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed said: “I’m pleased to see homelessness in Stirling is below Scottish average, as it’s an awful position for anyone to find themselves in.
“However the number of people in temporary accommodation is concerning. I am aware there are a number of constituents in this position and I’m keen to work closely with the council to secure longer term accommodation for these people.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stirling Council made a huge effort to house all of those in need. Similar to other local authorities, we continue to experience the on-going effects of COVID-19 on homelessness service provision. In particular, this includes high levels of backlogs due to the increase in the number of households living in temporary accommodation, and the extended periods they are staying.
“In addition, some households who had previously chosen not to take up temporary accommodation provided by the local authority now require it as the alternative arrangements they had made were no longer viable due to the pandemic.
“As the restrictions put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic have eased, we have restarted our drive to reduce the number of households living in and the time spent in temporary accommodation.
“Our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan aims to ensure homeless households access settled housing as a first priority and at a faster rate, with flexible housing support services which are appropriate to the needs of each household.”
