Today, the Scottish Government has released new statistics on local authority homelessness applications, assessments and outcomes between 1 April to 30 September 2019. 

The release showed: 

· A 14% decrease on households being considered intentionally homeless in the past 6 months 

· There has been a slight decrease (2%) in the number of applications for homelessness assistance between 1 April and 30 September 2019 

· As at 30 September 2019: there were 11,432 households in temporary accommodation 

· Between 1 April and 30 Sept 2019 households on average spent 178 days in temporary accommodation. 

· In the last 6 months, there were 190 breaches of the Homelessness Persons Unsuitable Accommodation Order. Of these breaches, 125 of these occurred in Edinburgh. 

Grant Campbell, Director of Crisis Scotland, said:  

“Whilst there is some good news in today’s release, it is still distressing to see that across Scotland, thousands of people continue to be stuck in temporary accommodation, and that in places, like Glasgow and Edinburgh, hundreds of people experiencing homelessness are not offered temporary accommodation which they are legally entitled to. In addition, the continued breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order are very worrying, meaning that pregnant women and families were spending more than seven days in unsuitable accommodation such as B&Bs. 

“Homelessness is not inevitable, and today’s figures show just how vital it is that people get support if they are at risk of becoming homeless. The Scottish Government has taken bold action towards ending homelessness, and there are positives in today’s release in that fewer households are being considered intentionally homeless, and that there has been a fall in the number of homelessness support applications.   

“It is especially welcome that work on a prevention duty is being prioritised, which will add to the already advanced legal approach to homelessness in Scotland. This, along with more social homes, and ensuring that people who are homeless can access a safe and stable home quickly, will ensure we are strides closer towards ending homelessness for good in Scotland.”