Numbers of families living in B&BS soar

The number of homeless households living in hostels has increased by 43 per cent since 2010, a new report has found.

The study found almost a third of homeless households in Scotland were temporarily housed in either B&B or hostel accommodation, where concerns about the quality and appropriateness of temporary accommodation are most severe.

Experts warn young or vulnerable people and those with complex needs fare particularly badly in these types of accommodation, where they may not be able to access the support they need and can be at risk of harm.

The number of households living in temporary accommodation (TA) doubled between 2003 and 2010 and has remained high ever since. More than 10,000 people are living in TA in Scotland on any one night. The figures are contained in a report commissioned by Edinburghbased Social Bite for the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) and written by Heriot-watt University.

Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn said: “If we are to work towards an end to homelessness, then we must transform the temporary accommodation system where many of our most vulnerable people are forced to live.”