Comment from Right There CEO Janet Haugh
Scotland’s latest homelessness figures show a 10% increase in open homelessness cases since last year. [Scotgov Homelessness in Scotland: 2025-26]
Right There CEO Janet Haugh had this to say about it:
“These figures should shock us all. More than 10,700 children are now growing up in temporary accommodation across Scotland, while rough sleeping continues to rise. Scotland cannot keep describing this as a housing emergency without responding like it is one.
“We need action, not platitudes. Prevention, affordable housing and early support must move from ambition to action.”
Key figures:
Homelessness Applications & Cases
- 41,443 homelessness applications in 2025-26 (up slightly from 41,246 in 2024-25).
- 34,964 open homelessness cases as of 31 March 2026, a 10% increase from 31,873 the previous year.
- 35,002 households assessed as homeless.
Temporary Accommodation
- 19,004 households in temporary accommodation on 31 March 2026, a 10% increase from 17,240.
- 10,715 children in temporary accommodation, a 5% increase from 10,180.
- 21,800 occasions where temporary accommodation was not offered, up from 16,460 in 2024-25.
