As of September 2024, the number of children living in temporary accommodation has reached an all-time high, according to newly released statistics. The figures show that 10,360 children were among 16,634 households living in temporary housing, marking the worst situation since records began in 2002.
Surge in Homelessness Cases
The latest figures reveal a 4% increase in homelessness applications compared to the previous year, with 17,424 households being assessed as homeless or at risk of homelessness over a six-month period. This surge highlights the ongoing housing crisis in Scotland, with Glasgow and Dundee seeing the most significant increases in applications—22% and 21%, respectively.
Contributing Factors:
- Refugee and leave-to-remain applicants: Glasgow’s rise in applications is partly due to an influx of 1,259 applications from refugees and people with leave-to-remain status.
- Cost of living crisis: As rising living costs continue to squeeze household budgets, more families are at risk of losing their homes, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.
Impact on Children and Families
The rising homelessness figures are especially concerning for families with children. Just over a quarter of the households assessed as homeless contained children—a slight decrease from the same period in 2023, but still a significant number. The impact on children is profound, as they often face instability and trauma associated with temporary housing situations.
Key Figures:
- 10,360 children living in temporary accommodation in September 2024.
- 15 local authorities reported an increase in homelessness applications.
- 6% of households reported rough sleeping the night before their application, and 9% in the previous three months.
Government Response and Criticism
The Scottish government has pledged to take decisive action to tackle homelessness, with Housing Minister Paul McLennan emphasizing the need to deliver more homes. He pointed to the government’s track record, having supported the delivery of 135,000 affordable homes since 2007. However, critics argue that the current response is insufficient.
Responses to the Crisis:
- Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy at the charity Crisis, noted that the figures reflect the growing demand for homelessness services, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. She called for a “targeted response” to prevent more families from becoming homeless.
- Scottish Labour’s Mark Griffin condemned the government’s handling of the situation, calling it a “national scandal” and demanding action to address the emergency.
- Scottish Conservative’s Meghan Gallacher accused the SNP of being “asleep at the wheel” and urged the government to abandon plans for rent controls in favor of a practical solution to increase housing supply.
Plans for the Future
In light of the growing crisis, the Scottish Government has outlined several measures to address homelessness:
- £4 million of new funding to tackle homelessness, with a focus on prevention.
- A pledge to deliver 8,000 new homes, including social rent, mid-market rent, and low-cost ownership properties.
- Continued investment in social security programs, including the Scottish Child Payment, to support vulnerable families.
Looking Ahead:
- First Minister John Swinney has made tackling child poverty a central focus of his government’s agenda, but the ongoing homelessness crisis, particularly among children, underscores the complexity of addressing poverty and housing insecurity simultaneously.
