More Children Homeless In Scotland

More affordable housing needs to be built to reverse growing numbers of homeless children in Scotland.

Figures released today show a 15% increase in the number of young people in temporary accommodation. That is more than 4,500 across the country, including 167 in Fife.

But the number assessed as homeless - or likely to become homeless - dropped overall.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said:
 
"These figures show that 8,500 households suffered the personal tragedy of homelessness between April and July this year and that there has been a five percent increase in the number of households forced to stay in temporary accommodation – including a 15 percent increase in homeless children. This is simply not good enough.
 
"While it is welcome news that the overall number of people being assessed as homeless has continued to decrease, these figures indicate a growing bottleneck of people stuck in temporary accommodation due to the huge lack of affordable housing, which is a major cause for concern. Alarm bells should be ringing that Scotland may be slipping back on the progress it has made on tackling homelessness post devolution.
 
"Now is the time for bold and renewed action. The Scottish Government needs to ensure that a major affordable house-building programme is implemented before things get even worse."

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "I welcome the reduction in the number of homelessness applications by 20 per cent since 2012. And I am pleased that following legislation and a strengthening of regulations and guidance, the vast majority of homeless families in temporary accommodation are in good quality, well-managed, furnished social housing.

"However, I am concerned about the rise in figures this quarter. My officials have contacted the 11 local authorities who have seen increases of more than ten children over the past year to ask why the number has increased."