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BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe number of people in Scotland living in temporary homeless accommodation has risen to a new record high, official data has revealed.<\/p>\n The annual statistics for homelessness showed that, as of March this year, 16,300 households were in the system \u2013 the highest since Scottish government records began in 2002.<\/p>\n There was also a record number of children in homeless accommodation, with more than 10,000 youngsters waiting for a permanent home.<\/p>\n The Scottish government and 12 local councils have already declared a \u201chousing emergency\u201d, with the government having announced a 26% cut to its affordable housing budget this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Housing minister Paul McLennan described the latest figures as “deeply concerning”.<\/p>\n He said: “I know the lack of a settled home seriously affects people\u2019s health and life chances.<\/p>\n “They demonstrate the scale of the challenge we face in tackling the housing emergency and I am determined to work with partners to reverse this trend.”<\/p>\n Scottish Conservative housing spokesman Miles Briggs said the “scandalous figures should be a source of shame for SNP ministers”.<\/p>\n He added: “After 17 years of this failed and distracted SNP government, it is clear that they are part of the problem, not the solution to Scotland\u2019s housing emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n Scottish Labour’s Mark Griffin said: “No amount of SNP spin and deflection can mask the fact that they let homelessness soar and left over 10,000 kids without a permanent home.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of dealing with the housing emergency taking grip in Scotland, the SNP fanned its flamed by slashing the affordable housing budget and letting housebuilding plummet.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Politicians previously cited record high totals of households in temporary accommodation and rising waiting times for social housing as the main reasons for the housing emergency.<\/p>\n For the last year, BBC Scotland has followed the plight of individuals<\/a> navigating the homelessness system \u2013 and the authorities trying to help them.<\/p>\n Michelle and her three daughters have been in temporary homeless accommodation for 18 months.<\/p>\n The 40-year-old\u2019s family was made homeless after her private let was repossessed by a mortgage lender from her landlord.<\/p>\n Since then, she and her daughters \u2013 one of whom has autism \u2013 have been moving between homeless flats as the council try to find her a suitable home.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think we would be waiting this long,\u201d said Michelle, a former NHS care worker.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were in a hotel for three-and-a-half weeks but were told that within a week we\u2019d be moved to a suitable property.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we have just been moved from place to place.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n She is not allowed to decorate her ground-floor flat and when BBC Scotland News visited, there was no carpet on the floor.<\/p>\n Michelle and her daughters are preparing to move to their third flat in two years.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cIt\u2019s hard. It\u2019s affecting my mental health. The council just say there are no ground floor, three bedroom properties that suit our needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have told us that it will likely be a five-year wait.\u201d<\/p>\n Glasgow City Council is involved in finding the family accommodation \u2013 and is one of the local authorities that has recognised the overall situation as an emergency.<\/p>\n A spokeswoman said: \u201cWe are in a housing crisis and unfortunately the demand for permanent accommodation far outstrips availability and supply.<\/p>\n \u201cThat means people \u2013 particularly larger families with children \u2013 are spending longer in temporary accommodation than anyone would wish.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle\u2019s three daughters, including Devon, 11, were among thousands of children in Scotland\u2019s temporary housing system last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The latest annual figures show:<\/p>\n The previous year’s figures had prompted 12 Scottish councils \u2013 more than a third of local authorities \u2013 to declare their own emergencies<\/a> since last summer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Matt Downie, chief executive of the charity Crisis, said the latest figures showed the Scottish homelessness system was under more pressure than ever before.<\/p>\n He said: “Councils are closing cases, but not as quickly as new applications are coming in. They\u2019re working to end homelessness, but they\u2019re not able to keep up with growing demand.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Scottish government has made tackling child poverty its number one priority, but this can\u2019t be achieved without stronger action on housing.”<\/p>\n Charity Shelter Scotland has been at the forefront of the campaign to urge politicians to declare a \u201chousing emergency\u201d.<\/p>\n Its director Alison Watson has spoken at council meetings, appealing directly for authorities to recognise the long waits and pressures facing homeless families.<\/p>\n She told BBC Scotland: “At the end of the day, we know that austerity measures have driven a lot of poverty, a lot of issues for people keeping a roof over their head.<\/p>\n “But housing does continue to not be seen as a priority by our politicians. I suppose the most significant issue of concern us is decades of underinvestment in social housing.<\/p>\n “Now we don’t have a shortage of highly progressive housing rights and homelessness policies in Scotland. But we’re failing to invest.”<\/p>\nAffecting mental health<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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