Homelessness in Scotland falls by nearly 20%

THE number of homeless people in Scotland has fallen by around a fifth in the past year, according to government figures.

A total of 45,322 applications were made by people wishing to register as homeless in 2011/12, down 19 per cent on the previous year.

• Homelessness figures down by around a fifth in the past year

• Scottish Government says preventative measures has had impact on figures

Fewer households were assessed as either homeless or threatened with homelessness, down 15 per cent, while there were fewer households in temporary accommodation, including those with children, according to Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The Scottish Government said that a scheme which allows local authorities to refocus services was having an impact.

“These substantial and welcome figures are further encouragement that our innovative approach to tackling the blight of homelessness is working and making a real difference,” Housing Minister Keith Brown said.

“This reflects the commitment shown by local authorities and their partners to move to a focus on prevention rather than just reacting to people becoming homeless.

“We will continue to drive forward that process to ensure that we can continue to make real reductions in the number of people being made homeless in Scotland.”

On March 31 there were 10,743 households in temporary accommodation, down 5 per cent on the previous year.

There were 3,484 households with children in temporary accommodation, down 9 per cent on the previous year.

The largest reductions in applications, compared with the previous year, were in Aberdeen City (down 56 per cent), Falkirk (down 49 per cent) and the Highlands (down 40 per cent).

More home repossessions were threatened however. Notifications from creditors intending to start repossession proceedings against homeowners rose from around 2,000 per quarter in 2009 and 2010 to more than 4,000 in Jan-March 2011 and have remained at around 4,000 per quarter since.

During 2011-12, applications from owner-occupiers citing mortgage default as the reason for their homelessness were down 39 per cent on 2010-11.

The Scottish Government’s homelessness target states that by the end of 2012, all unintentionally homeless people will be entitled to settled accommodation.

Mr Brown said: “There can be no shred of complacency while any household faces the trauma of being made homeless.

“Working with our partners in local government and elsewhere, we are getting ever closer and remain fully on course to meet our target that by the end of 2012 all unintentionally homeless people will be entitled to settled accommodation.”

The Scottish Government said it has already backed the Scottish Housing Options Approach funding programme with around £500,000 for staff training. In April it announced it would distribute an additional £150,000 for the programme.