Scottish Housing Market Review Q3 2023

9. Homelessness

There were 39,006 homelessness applications recorded in 2022-23, an increase of 9% compared to 2021-22 (35,759), and now exceeding the pre-Covid level (37,053 in 2019-20). The number of households assessed as homeless was 32,242, an increase of 10% compared to 2021-22 (29,339), and also now exceeding the pre-Covid level (31,618 in 2019-20). The number of households in temporary accommodation as at 31 March 2023 was 15,039, an increase of 6% from 31 March 2022 (14,214). Unlike applications and assessments, temporary accommodation increased during the Covid period. Applications and assessments are at their highest since 2012-13 and 2011-12 respectively, while temporary accommodation is at its highest since the time series began in 2017-18

While in 2022-23 as whole, there was an increase from 4,271 in 2021-22 to 5,190 (22%) in households becoming homeless from the private rented sector, there was a fall in the second half of 2022-23: from 2,990 in the period April to September 2022, to 2,200 in the period October 2022 to March 2023 (during which the Cost of Living (Tenants Protection) Act has been in operation).

Source: Scottish Government

Note: Homeless applications and assessments refer to the number over the quarter, while temporary accommodation figures refer to the number at the end of quarter.