According to official figures published today (16 July), fewer people in Scotland are becoming homeless.

In the last twelve months, there were 39,827 homelessness applications, 5,720 (13%) lower than the number of applications received in 2011-12.

There were 3,177 households with children in temporary accommodation; a decrease of 310 households (9% decrease) compared with one year earlier. These households contained a total of 5,223 children, a decrease of 370 children (7% decrease) compared to one year ago.

From 31 December 2012, all local authorities met the long standing commitment that means that all unintentionally homeless people are now entitled to settled accommodation.


Transport and Veterans Minister Keith Brown said: "I welcome the continued falls in homelessness across Scotland recorded in 2012/13. These figures come following a historic year in tackling homelessness in Scotland as we saw the achievement of the homelessness 2012 target.

"While we welcome the continued improvement we are concerned that this may be undermined by Westminster welfare changes.

"Over the past few years councils have been developing services in which staff assist households to consider their range of housing options to address their individual housing needs in order to help prevent homelessness before it occurs.

"Alongside this we want to increase housing supply to ensure settled accommodation can be accessed by households as quickly as possible and avoid them spending too much time in temporary accommodation. Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a vital part of our efforts to build a better and fairer Scotland.

"This Government aims to deliver 30,000 affordable homes - including 20,000 for social rent, over the life of this Parliament. Over the next three years we will be making over £900 million available for affordable housing.

"We will continue to work with councils and their partners to prevent homelessness and improve outcomes for households that do become homeless."

(JP/MH)