Scotland’s housing emergency deepens amid failing homelessness services

More than half of people in Scotland (54%) live in areas with failing homelessness services, new research by Shelter Scotland claims.

Data by the charity reveals 2.9 million people in Scotland live in an area where the local authority does not have a fully functioning homelessness service, meaning they are not guaranteed access to housing if they experience homelessness.

The warning comes as the Scottish Housing Regulator brands two councils as experiencing “systemic failure” in their homelessness services.

Consequences are clear

Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said: “This is the reality of the housing emergency. We are not building the social homes we need, and the consequences are clear, more local authorities in failure and more people having their housing rights breached.

“As we look towards the election, we refuse to accept the law being broken every single day. Ending the housing emergency is a political choice. Whoever is in government next must offer a new approach, and the new money to match it.

“They must provide local authorities the resources to uphold people’s rights – otherwise, more money will be poured into temporary accommodation while more families are left without a home.

“We cannot stand by and let that happen. Change is only possible if people demand it.”

According to the Scottish Housing Regulator, Glasgow City Council and Edinburgh City Council are “impacted by systemic failure” over their homelessness services.

They say a further nine councils are at heightened risk of being impacted by systemic failure, including Aberdeen City, Clackmannanshire, and Dumfries and Galloway.

The regulator says: “Our engagement with these local authorities will include a structured conversation focusing on how they are delivering suitable temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.”

Strengthening homelessness services

The Scottish Housing Regulator report said Edinburgh council is strengthening its homelessness services.

The report said: “The City of Edinburgh has been progressing an action plan since 2023 which aims to improve the performance and outcomes of the housing system in Edinburgh, including the homelessness service. In June 2025, the plan was refreshed following additional consultation with stakeholders, and the actions were restructured to focus on housing supply and housing demand.

“This includes continuing to work closely with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to increase the number of permanent homes provided to people experiencing homelessness. As part of the plan, the City of Edinburgh has told us that it is continuing to increase its temporary and permanent accommodation provision and is strengthening homelessness prevention activities.”

Glasgow City Council also told the regulator that it was: “Implementing improvements which aim to improve the performance of its homelessness service. For example, it progressing an action plan which includes working with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to increase the number of permanent homes provided to people experiencing homelessness.”