Bi-annual homelessness stats Scotland

Crisis response to Scottish Government bi-annual homelessness statistics, 01 Feb 2022.

Key stats:   

• 26,001 households in the homelessness system in September 2021 – down from 27,036 in April 2020
• 13,192 households were living in temporary accommodation – down 7% from a peak of 14,151 in September 2020
• 17,447 homelessness applications in September 2021, with 14,161 assessed as homeless. This is an increase on April 2020, which saw 17,169 applications, of which 13,813 were assessed as homeless

Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Urgent action from local authorities and homelessness services at the start of the pandemic saw people moved off the streets and into safe, self-contained accommodation. There is no doubt that response saved lives, both from covid and the cold.

“But while there was a decrease in the number of people in the homelessness system overall, the number is still far too high.

“It’s clear we need to do more to prevent homelessness in the first place. That’s why Crisis strongly supports new measures proposed by the Scottish Government which would ensure people get help earlier, before they reach a point of crisis. It would also see new duties placed on public services to ask about someone’s housing situation, then act to provide help if needed.

“By strengthening homelessness prevention Scotland can become a world leader in ending homelessness.”