More than 16,000 households in Scotland remain homeless, with over 10,000 children stuck in temporary accommodation. Despite the government’s declaration of a housing emergency a year ago, new data shows the problem is worsening — and families like Laura’s are feeling the squeeze more than ever.
Living on Borrowed Time: Laura’s Story of Uncertainty
Laura’s story hits close to home for many. Evicted from her private rental in 2021, she and her four kids have been stuck in temporary flats ever since. Her family’s home, once in South Queensferry, has turned into a revolving door of uncertainty. “Calling it a housing emergency and not doing anything about it isn’t helping anyone,” she says with quiet frustration.
The flats Laura now occupies aren’t owned by the council but by private landlords who lease them back to Edinburgh City Council. It’s a stopgap that’s far from stable. These landlords could pull out at any time, leaving families like Laura’s scrambling for another place to live. “We could get evicted at a moment’s notice,” she says.
Living day to day like this takes its toll. The kids ask every day when they’ll have a home to call their own. Laura can’t give them answers. It’s more than just bricks and mortar — it’s about building a life, feeling settled. Moving to flats eight miles out, away from schools and friends, isn’t a solution. “It’s not refusing a home, it’s refusing to lose the lives we’ve built,” Laura explains.
A Deepening Crisis: Shelter Scotland’s Warning
The Scottish government’s housing emergency declaration came after years of pressure. But the latest research from Shelter Scotland paints a bleak picture. Their YouGov poll suggests about 2.3 million Scots—roughly four in ten adults—are struggling with their housing situation, whether that’s affordability, condition, or security. That’s an 800,000-person jump since 2021.
Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland’s director, puts it bluntly: homelessness is up, while social housebuilding is down. “Last week the Scottish government announced a Programme for Government with no plan to end the housing emergency,” Watson points out.
Instead, she says, the government presented a programme focused on homelessness but left out a clear strategy for the 10,360 children living in temporary homes—many in conditions experts describe as unsafe and isolating. “This simply cannot continue,” she stresses.
Shelter Scotland calls for more than just declarations. They want concrete action, a detailed plan to fix the crisis that’s leaving thousands trapped in limbo.
Temporary Homes: A Band-Aid, Not a Fix
Temporary accommodation has become the norm rather than the exception. But what does this look like on the ground?
For many families, it means:
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Constant fear of eviction
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Disrupted schooling for children
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A lack of community and social support
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Exposure to poor living conditions, including overcrowding and vermin
These realities push people to the edge, especially kids who miss out on stability during crucial years.
A table below shows the rising figures of homelessness and temporary housing in Scotland over the past four years:
| Year | Homeless Households | Children in Temporary Accommodation | New Social Houses Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,500 | 7,800 | 4,200 |
| 2022 | 14,000 | 8,900 | 3,900 |
| 2023 | 15,200 | 9,500 | 3,500 |
| 2024 | 16,000+ | 10,360 | 3,000 |
The downward trend in social housebuilding is stark. Less supply means families like Laura’s face longer waits and fewer options.
Why Is The Situation Getting Worse?
It’s tempting to think that a national emergency declaration would spark immediate change. But the reality is more complicated.
One big issue: funding and delivery. While the government has poured money into housing initiatives, the actual construction of social housing lags. Planning delays, labor shortages, and rising costs have all played a part.
Additionally, private landlords who lease back homes for temporary accommodation can pull out or raise rents. This creates instability for councils trying to manage growing demand.
And then there’s the social side: displacing families from their communities fragments lives. For kids especially, losing familiar schools and friends can harm their development.
All these factors come together to create a vicious cycle of housing insecurity that’s tough to break.
Voices from The Ground: Feeling Forgotten
“It feels like we’re invisible,” Laura says. Her words echo those of many others caught in the system. The emotional toll is massive — anxiety, stress, and a loss of hope.
Even those working to help notice the gap between policy and reality. Frontline workers report families cycling through temporary accommodations, with little sign of a permanent solution.
Local councils have declared emergencies of their own, but many admit they lack the resources to solve the crisis alone.
One thing is clear: without swift, decisive action, the number of people stuck in limbo will only grow.
