Homelessness in Scotland: update to 30 September 2023

This statistics bulletin provides information on homelessness in Scotland in the six-month period from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023, alongside historical data.


Main findings: April to September 2023

Comparisons are with the corresponding periods in the previous years and percentage changes are shown between the latest two periods.

• All figures relate to the six month period April to September, unless point in time references are otherwise stated.  • Comparisons are with the corresponding periods in the previous years and percentage changes are shown between the last two periods.  • Homelessness applications, open applications, households assessed as homeless and households in temporary accommodation have all increased o There were 20,144 homelessness applications recorded in the period April to September 2023, compared to 19,486 in 2022. This was a 3% increase.  o There were 30,724 open homelessness applications at 30 September 2023, compared to 28,019 in 2022. This was a 10% increase. o There were 16,420 households assessed as homeless in the period April to September 2023, compared to 15,793 in 2022. This was a 4% increase. o There were 15,625 households in temporary accommodation at 30 September 2023, compared to 14,452 in 2020. This was an 8% increase.  • There were 9,860 children in temporary accommodation at 30 September 2023, an 8% increase compared to as at 30 Sep 2022 (9,125).  • Households becoming homeless from a private rented tenancy has decreased, likely due to legislation o 13% of households became homeless from private rented tenancies in 2023, a decrease from 19% last year o 2,185 of households became homeless from private rented tenancies in 2023, a decrease from 3,010    • Homeless household composition: o 68% single person households  o 27% households containing children  • 1,408 applicants reported rough sleeping during the three months prior to their application (7% of all applications) • 888 applicants reported rough sleeping the night before (4% of all applications)   • 82% of unintentionally homeless households secured settled accommodation in the period April to September 2023

Contact

Email: homelessness_statistics_inbox@gov.scot

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