Crisis hails progress on homelessness in Scotland but warns rough sleepers could be 'falling off radar'

New Scottish Government figures published today have shown that the number of people formally approaching their council as homeless in 2015/16 fell by 4% compared to the previous year. This fall was attributed to the impact of housing options and homelessness prevention strategies. Amongst those approaching their council, there was a 6% fall in the number of people who had slept rough the night before.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “Scotland has made considerable progress in the fight against homelessness, and these figures continue to show improvement, both in the number of people formally seeking help and the proportion who slept rough the night before. 

“However, following rising demand for rough sleeper shelters in Glasgow and Edinburgh over the winter, we’re concerned that behind these statistics there may be growing numbers of people who have simply fallen off the radar. We are also worried about the levels of support needs amongst those seeking help from their council. We must make sure that the hardest to help aren’t being left behind. 

“Despite the extension of rights, homelessness is increasingly visible on the streets of Scotland’s cities. There is no room for complacency, which is why we’re calling for a more robust, proactive approach to prevention and for Scottish Government to develop a strategic approach to homelessness across government that mitigates recent cuts to local authority budgets and social security"

• Between 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 there were 34,662 applications. This was 4% (1287) lower than the number of applications in the same period 2014-15
• 4% of applicants (1352 or 113 per month average) slept rough the night before applying for assistance – a drop of 6% (84) on the previous year
• Aberdeen and Dundee (8%) had the highest proportion of applicants rough sleeping the night before
• Proportion of applicants with at least one support need has risen from 34% in 2012/13 to 42% in 2015/16
• Roughly two-thirds (16395) of those unintentionally homeless households secured a socially rented or private rented tenancy
• At 31 March 2016 there were 10,555 households in TA (decrease of 12 households on last year).

ENDS

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact Tom Phillips on 020 7426 3853 or email Thomas.phillips@crisis.org.uk

Notes to editors 

• For more information on rising demand for winter shelters, visit: http://www.crisis.org.uk/pressreleases.php/705/next-scottish-government-must-act-as-demand-for-rough-sleeping-shelters-rises
  
• For a full copy of Crisis’ manifesto please visit: http://www.crisis.org.uk/data/files/publications/Crisis_ScotlandManifesto_2016_Update.pdf