THE number of children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland has increased by almost a fifth in the last year, Scottish government statistics revealed today.
 
Figures for the number of families with children in temporary accommodation as of March 31 went from 7,385 to 8,635, indicating an increase of 17 per cent. 

Since 2002, the figure has almost quadrupled from 2,390.
 
In the same time frame since last year, the total number of households in temporary accommodation expanded by 4 per cent from 13,359 to 13,945. 

There were 26,166 live homelessness cases in Scotland, which is more than two-and-a-half times the figure from 2003.
 
The Scottish government figures also show 35,230 applications for homelessness assistance were made in the year 2021-22, representing a 3 per cent increase from 34,286 the year before.

Matt Downie, the chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said that the statistics should be a “wake-up call.” 

He said: “Scotland made huge progress in tackling rough sleeping during the pandemic, but the fact that more people are spending longer periods of time trapped in temporary accommodation is completely unacceptable.

“We know how damaging spending long periods of time in temporary accommodation can be, particularly for children and young people. You get a roof over your head, but a B&B is not a home.”
 
Scottish government housing secretary Shona Robison said: “While it is encouraging that rough sleeping is at its lowest level in 20 years and repeat homelessness is at a 10-year low, I am deeply concerned at the increase in the number of children in temporary accommodation.”