New figures set out scale of homelessness crisis across Scotland

FIFE has recorded the third largest number of open homelessness cases in Scotland, figures show.

Government statistics released yeserday reveal 30,724 live applications were recorded on September 30 of last year in Scotland, an increase from the previous high of 30,129 in June 2023, making it the highest level on record.

In Fife, 1,950 live applications were recorded in the same period, a decrease from 2,022 in June 2023. On September 30 2022, 2,079 live applications were recorded.

There were 5,291 cases in Glasgow City and 6,797 in Edinburgh recorded on September 30 last year.

The Kingdom had some of the highest homelessness applications in 2023 – year ending in September – at 2,632.

This was a decrease of 96 or 7% between April to September 2022 and 2023.

Fife also had one of the largest increases of households in temporary accomodation, a rise of 21% between September 2023 and 2022.

It comes after Fife Council announced it was on the brink of a housing emergency in January.

Councillors said they would have no choice but to become the fourth Scottish council to announce an emergency situation unless it receives urgent financial support.

Edinburgh, Glasgow and Argyll and Bute have already made declarations.

Within Scotland, the number of unresolved applications had increased by 10%.

On September 30, 9,860 children were in temporary accommodation in Scotland – a slight decrease from June 30 but an 8% increase compared to the same time the previous year.

The number of people who applied for homelessness assistance between April and September last year having slept rough the night before was also the highest since at least 2020, at 888 – an increase of 23% from the same period the previous year.

Applications from people who reported having slept rough in the last three months were 1,408 – a 20% increase from the previous year.

Housing minister Paul McLennan described the figures as “sobering”, adding they “demonstrate the challenge we face in tackling homelessness”.

Rough sleeping has become a common sight.