More homeless people put in temporary housing
Political Correspondent A NEW report shows a rise in the amount of homeless people placed in temporary accommodation in Glasgow.
New government statistics show there was an increase of 82 families placed in a temporary home in the city.
Overall homelessness applications in Glasgow dropped by almost 450 in 2017 one of 14 councils were there was a fall.
There were 5429 homeless applications in Glasgow in 2017, a drop of 8% on 2016.
Just 60 or 2.8% were assessed by housing officials as being intentionally homeless, half of the Scottish rate.
Glasgow accounts for one on five of all homeless households in temporary accommodation in Scotland, with more than 2000 waiting for a permanent home.
The latest figures showed there were almost 35,000 homeless applications across Scotland for 12 months to September 2017.
Across Scotland there were 6581 children living in temporary homes on September 30, last year, an in- crease of 594 with the year before.
Housing campaigners said the homelessness situation was unacceptable.
Shelter called for urgent action to reduce the numbers.
Adam Lang, Head of Communications with the charity, said: “These figures show that on average between April to September 2017 a household in Scotland became homeless every 18 minutes.
“This is just not acceptable in 21st century Scotland. This must be a wake-up call for local and national government that Scotland’s progress on tackling homelessness has stalled and in some places, is getting worse.”
Shelter said that homelessness has a negative effect on children’s health, education and their chances of success later in life.
Scotland’s Housing Minister said the Scottish Government has been taking increased action in recent months and is working towards the aim of eradicating homelessness.
Kevin Stewart said: “I would hope, and expect, to see improvements as we renew and redouble our efforts.
“Our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group is leading the way in recommending the actions and legislative changes needed to tackle homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation, backed by £50million to drive change.
“Since its first meeting in October, the group has worked at pace to develop actions that can have the most impact – starting with how we tackle rough sleeping this winter.”
Opposition politicians in Glasgow said the figures showed not enough is being done to deal with homelessness.
Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, and the party’s housing spokeswoman, said: “These are deeply troubling figures that are a mark of shame on the SNP.
“There are more than 6,500 children in temporary accommodation – an increase on last year.
“It is simply unacceptable that in the 21st century, so many children should be without a permanent home.”