The latest statistics on homeless people in Scotland have been published, and have found that the most recent figures for the number of homelessness applications show a decrease of 2 per cent from a year ago.
The statistics, part of the statistical bulletin on the operation of the homeless persons legislation in Scotland, show a fall from 60,436 for the previous year to 59,096 in the number of homelessness applications. The report says that this data indicates that the increase in applications observed since 2000-01 may be levelling out from 2003-04 onward.
The statistics also show a snapshot of figures for households in temporary accommodation - on 31 March 2007 there was an increase of 10 per cent, to 9,164 households, on the situation at 31 March 2006.
However, the report adds that while the numbers continue to rise, the longer term data indicate a slower rate of increase when compared with previous years, particularly in relation to the observed increase of 32 per cent between 2002 and 2003.
The most recent figure for households with children or pregnant women in temporary accommodation was 3,235 as at 31 March 2007, representing an increase of 13 per cent from 31 March 2006. Again, the report states that the longer term trend indicates that the rate of increase has been slowing down to some extent over the past three years. However, the report added that these households were mainly provided with local authority or housing association accommodation, with only a small minority 3 per cent being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation, a decrease from 7 per cent in 2005.
Stewart Maxwell, the minister for Communities and Sport, said progress is being made but more still needs to be done. He added latest homelessness statistics showed local authorities were working hard to find permanent housing for homeless people.
“Today's figures are encouraging and show some positive developments – notably a reduction in the overall number of homelessness applications, an increase in the number of people re-housed and the fact that about two-thirds of people in danger of becoming homeless were prevented from becoming so.
“There's also been a big drop in the number of homeless households with children or pregnant women placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.
“This can be put down to good partnership working between central and local government and others and I'm particularly impressed by the dedication of local authorities in working towards Scotland's forward-thinking homelessness legislation.
“While more people are being rehoused in permanent accommodation, the rise in the use of temporary accommodation – mostly within the social rented sector - is a concern, because the uncertainty of being housed in temporary accommodation over an extended period of time can be unsettling.
“But tackling homelessness is about more than just providing housing. We must also keep up our prevention efforts, so that fewer people become homeless in the first place. And we need to provide support to those who are provided with accommodation, to help them sustain tenancies and break the cycle of repeat homelessness.
“Homelessness is the most acute symptom of a housing system that is failing to meet the needs of Scotland's people. We face a huge challenge in making that system fit for purpose. Tomorrow we will unveil our proposals for doing so when we publish our discussion document on the future of housing in Scotland.”
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