Shelter Scotland demands 15,000 social homes as temporary accommodation increases

Shelter Scotland is calling on the Scottish government to build more than 15,000 social homes as the number of people in temporary accommodation rises.

According to the housing charity, Shelter Scotland receives twice as many calls to its helpline from people urgently seeking temporary accommodation than for any other issue (38%).

The news comes after the Scottish government published its annual Ending Homelessness report, which shows millions of children are growing up in temporary accommodation.

Invest in social housing

Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said: “This Christmas, a permanent home will be on lists to Santa for thousands of children across the country.

“We know for young people to thrive, they need to have somewhere safe, secure and stable to call home – no one should live in fear of where they are going to live.

“We know the country needs at least 15,693 social homes per year over the next Parliament to tackle the housing emergency, but if Ministers choose not to, we must accept homelessness will continue to rise. Many are trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation and are increasingly experiencing more complex and more distressing circumstances.

“Only social housing can end homelessness and truly transform lives. We have the evidence, we have a plan, but it is up to the Scottish government to invest in social housing and Scotland’s future. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.”

Councils are left struggling under savage SNP cuts

The Scottish Conservatives previously told Property118, thousands of children are growing up in temporary accommodation due to SNP housing cuts and rent control plans will only make the housing crisis worse.

Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary, Meghan Gallacher MSP, told Property118: “It is disgraceful that more than 10,000 children are growing up without the security of a permanent home, while councils are left struggling under savage SNP cuts to housing and local budgets.

“Instead of pursuing permanent reckless rent control plans that will only make the crisis worse, ministers should be focused on delivering the homes and frontline support families desperately need.

“Scots deserve better than an SNP government that is asleep at the wheel when it comes to tackling homelessness and the housing emergency.”