Help as homelessness in Scotland reaches crisis point

The homelessness problem in Scotland is reaching a crisis point, according to new figures released by the Scottish Government.

They reveal that more than 17,000 households were in council-funded accommodation in March which is a six per cent increase from last year’s figures. The number of households classified as “homeless” last year was the most it has been since 2012.

Additionally, rough sleeping is on the rise and the period of time from assessment of homelessness to closure of a case is also increasing. In light of these statistics, several Christian organisations are doing what they can to address the crisis. The Salvation Army recently called on Scotland’s political leaders to prioritise prevention of homelessness as the country approaches its next election.

The Salvation Army helps 7,000 people in Scotland every year, but says people are spending longer in their accommodation due to the shortage of affordable housing.

Last winter, Bethany Christian Trust gave 11,583 nights of accommodation in its Rapid Re-accommodation Welcome Centre in Edinburgh to people who would otherwise have been sleeping on the street. The centre opened again in October and has already welcomed more than 50 people.

“At the Welcome Centre I had food, a warm bed and a clean room,” a guest at the centre said. “I felt really safe. Otherwise, I would have been on the streets.”