Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for a more collaborative approach by the Scottish Government, as the number of homeless applications and demand for temporary accommodation rises.
According to the two sets of statistics released by the Scottish Government today - coming four months after the housing emergency was declared – there has been a 4% rise in homeless applications and a 9% rise in households needing temporary accommodation. The number of people sleeping rough the night before making an application has also increased to just under 2,000 over the past year. The statistics also showed a staggering 25% decrease in the number of new social homes completed, despite the number of approvals increasing.
As Scotland’s largest independent advice network, CAS’ own data reinforces the extent of the multi-faceted housing emergency in Scotland. Last year, the network gave out more than 58,000 pieces of housing advice, and demand for homelessness advice in particular has been increasing. Between Q1 of 2023/24 and Q1 of 2024/25, advice on actual homelessness has increased by 10% and advice on threatened homelessness has increased by 19% as a proportion of all housing advice.
Aoife Deery, CAS senior policy officer, said:
“These datasets go hand in hand and give us a clear picture into the continued and unacceptable housing pressures Scotland faces. Action is needed urgently if we’re going to see improvements in Scotland’s housing sector. We know that far too many people are experiencing real harm right now.
“Many local councils are struggling and need better assistance, while the social housebuilding budget needs to be put back on track.
“We were extremely disappointed to see the housing budget cut earlier in the year, especially as the number of homeless applications continues to increase. And behind these stats are the people that don’t have a safe space to call home. People like Adam* who approached his local Citizens Advice bureau earlier this year as he had been living in B&B temporary accommodation for over two years with no offer of housing. He had to abide by the B&B’s curfew and was unable to prepare his own meals due to the lack of facilities, therefore spending a lot of money on convenience and takeaway food. Adam was also travelling across the city to attend a college course, but his living situation was causing him a great deal of stress and uncertainty.
“The changes needed to properly tackle the housing emergency need increased collaboration between local authorities and the Scottish Government, backed up by significant multi-year funding. In a just and compassionate Scotland, everyone should have a safe, secure and affordable home.”