Existing powers could reduce severe homelessness in Scotland

The worst forms of homelessness in Scotland could be reduced by more than half during the current parliamentary term using existing powers.

Research by Crisis Scotland and Heriot-Watt University models the impact of ten policy interventions, finding that a comprehensive package could reduce the most severe forms of homelessness by 47% by 2028.

The charity warns, without more ambitious political action, Scotland’s high levels of homelessness could persist for the next 15 years.

Reduce homelessness

According to the research, the prevention duties introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 represent an important step forward in tackling homelessness. The measures could reduce core homelessness by 13% by 2028 and 16% by 2041.

Crisis Scotland says allocating up to one in five social lets to people experiencing the most severe forms of homelessness would be the single most effective intervention tested, reducing core homelessness by 19%.

The research also points to the importance of increasing housing supply, recommending the delivery of 6,600 social homes a year in areas with the greatest shortfall against need.

This intervention could reduce core homelessness by 3%, with the report finding that where homes are built matters as much as how many are delivered.

Unsuitable temporary accommodation

Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy and communications at Crisis Scotland, said: “This report makes it clear that ending homelessness for everyone is down to political choices. We can make significant strides towards this goal in a short space of time, if the will is there.

“We cannot continue to see a thousand people sleeping rough on an average night, record numbers stuck in temporary accommodation for eight months at a time, councils breaching the law on B&B stays 8,000 times and turning people away 4,900 times in a single quarter, because they have nowhere to put them. That is the system as it stands.”

“In one path, the worst forms of homelessness are halved within the next five years. Rough sleeping cut by nearly two-thirds. Unsuitable temporary accommodation is all but ended. In the other, we hold the current course, and the numbers remain where they are at today, come 2040.”

She added: “The important challenge to politicians is how much a future Scotland, free from homelessness, is already within their gift. This is not a future bill to be passed, or a decision to be taken by Westminster, but for Scottish government to use the powers it already has and to be effective.

“This means to wholeheartedly embrace homelessness prevention and place housing stability at the heart of public service reform. This is new, world leading legal framework for prevention, already passed into law, is a potential game changer for Scotland’s public services.

“For Scottish government to make a success out of it, a robust delivery plan, resource and most importantly, political will is needed.”

End homelessness by 2040

Crisis Scotland is calling on the Scottish government to publish a costed delivery plan and to prioritise fully funding the implementation of the incoming homelessness prevention Ask and Act duties in the upcoming budget.

The charity is campaigning to end homelessness in Scotland by 2040.