HOMELESSNESS applications in Scotland have reached their highest level for 12 years.
Scotland’s Housing Minister Paul McLennan has described the statistics as “deeply concerning”, with 40,685 applications lodged in 2023/24 – a rise of 4% on the previous year and the highest number seen since 2011/12.
The number of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness also hit its highest level for 12 years at 33,619 – a rise of 3% on the previous year.
The number of households in temporary accommodation has also risen 9% over the past year, now standing at 16,330.
The average length of time to close a homelessness case has lengthened by 11 days. It was 278 days for cases that closed in 2023/24, compared to 267 the year before.
McLennan (below) said he is determined to reverse the trend, insisting affordable homes must be made available for people when they need them.
He said: “These figures are deeply concerning and I know the lack of a settled home seriously affects people’s health and life chances. 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 £14 billion 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 £600 million in affordable housing this year.”
The Scottish Government has boosted the Affordable Housing Supply budget by £80m over the next two years and has committed £2m this year to councils with the greatest pressures on temporary accommodation to make use of existing housing stock.
McLennan added: “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.”
The Scottish Government hopes its Housing Bill will further strengthen tenants’ rights and is set to include provisions for long-term rent controls.
The Programme for Government said: "We will bring forward amendments to the bill that will clearly set out how rent increases will be capped in areas where rent controls apply, in a way that provides certainty for tenants while also encouraging investment."
The bill is set to place stronger duties on local authorities and other partners to prevent homelessness – including an emphasis on prevention through "holistic support", with relevant bodies working together to provide assistance earlier to help people avoid the crisis of homelessness.
