715 had no Xmas Day home

Newly-released figures have revealed the number of people left homeless last Christmas as a call for action is launched this time around.

The data, released via the Scottish Liberal Democrats, shows a total of 715 homeless applications were live in Stirling on Christmas Day 2021 - with a combined 1,175 people assessed to be without a home as a result.

The figure includes 386 children, placing Stirling in the top ten of council areas across Scotland in 2021 for children assessed as homeless during Christmas.

In Clackmannanshire, a total of 228 applications were live on the big day last year, with a combined 340 people affected, including 88 children.

Across Scotland as a whole, there were 25,458 live homeless applications on December 25 - and more than 43,000 adults and children impacted.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’housing spokesman, Paul Mcgarry, said:“at Christmas time most of us take for granted that we will be comfortable and secure with a roof over our heads.

“These figures show that tens of thousands of Scots are not so lucky. Many will be trapped in unstable situations, sofa-surfing or even living on the streets.

“This year temporary council accommodation is more stretched than ever. Living without a secure home takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health. It also sets back children’s development in a way that can leave them worse off for life.

“After a decade and a half in charge, the SNP have barely made a dent.

“It’s time to get to work building thousands more social homes across Scotland, offering new help to renovate loans to bring derelict homes back into use and strengthen our commitment to ending homelessness across Scotland.”