Homelessness in Scotland: update to 30 September 2024

The extent of homelessness in Scotland

Key Points

Applications, assessments, and households in temporary accommodation

Table A: Homelessness applications, assessments and households in temporary accommodation, April to September 2023 and 2024

Over the six-month period 1 April to 30 September 2024, there have been continued increases in the number of: homelessness applications; households assessed as homeless; open homelessness applications; and households in temporary accommodation.

The number of open applications reached the highest in the time series (since 2003) in June 2024 at 32,377. The September 2024 figure is very slightly lower than this (0.3%). The number of households and children in temporary accommodation reached the highest in the time series (since 2002), with the number of children in temporary accommodation now at 10,360; a 5% increase compared to last year.

There has been a 38% increase in the number of applications from households granted refugee and leave to remain status – from 1,435 to 1,975. Applications from households across other eligibility categories decreased.

Intentionality

Of the 17,424 applications that were assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness in the six-month period in 2024, 16,958 (97%) were assessed as unintentionally homeless and 466 (3%) were assessed as intentionally homeless. The number of households assessed as intentionaly homeless increased by 51% (from 309) in the most recent year, although they only account for 2% of all assesments.

Local authority differences

Applications

Fifteen local authorities experienced a numerical increase in applications between 2023 and 2024.

Glasgow experienced the largest numerical increase (766, 22%), followed by Dundee City (143, 21%). Glasgow’s increase can partly be attributed to those with refugee/leave to remain status with a total of 1,250 applications received with this eligibility, an increase of 360, 40% compared to last year. Glasgow accounts for 63% of all applications received from those with refugee/leave to remain status. The next largest is Edinburgh at 15%.

The largest numerical decreases were in South Lanarkshire (164, 11%), South Ayrshire (150, 30%) and West Dunbartonshire (144, 22%).

Open homelessness applications

Large increases in the number of open homelessness applications were experienced for: Glasgow (1,035), Edinburgh (656) and Midlothian (275).

West Lothian had the largest decreases in the number of open homelessness applications (182), followed by Fife (175).

Households assessed as homeless

Large proportionate increases were experienced for: Angus (66, 26%); Aberdeen City (143, 24%); East Renfrewshire (37, 24%) and Dundee City (121, 22%).

East Dunbartonshire has the highest proportionate decrease (53, 39%).

Households in temporary accommodation

Glasgow (516, 16%) and Edinburgh (363, 10%) had the largest numerical increases between September 2023 and September 2024. East Renfrewshire has also experienced a high proportionate increase (59, 44%).

The largest numerical decrease was in Aberdeen City (102, 21%).