Elected Member Briefing - Update on latest national and local homelessness figures

About this Briefing Note

Report by: Elaine Ritchie, Senior Service Manager, Housing 

EMBN Number: 021-25

Date: 7 February 2025

Subject: Update on latest national and local homelessness figures

Details

Purpose

This briefing note is to inform you about the mid-year homelessness statistics for Scotland that were published this week, and Perth and Kinross Council's updated homelessness performance.

Briefing Information

National picture

The Scottish Government this week published the statistics bulletin Homelessness in Scotland: update to 30 September 2024, providing mid-year homelessness information for Scotland.

The report uses snapshot data from 30 September 2024 and compares various indicators with the position on 30 September 2023.

These latest figures show that homelessness is a growing challenge for all local authorities. This is due to issues such as the high cost of living, and pressures on the housing system nationally in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability.

Nationally, there have been increases across all key homelessness indicators:

• The number of live/open cases has increased by 6% to 32,272. These are people/households that local authorities have accepted a homelessness duty to, who are waiting on an offer of permanent accommodation.
• The number of new homelessness applications in the 12 months to 30 September 2024 increased by 1% nationally.
• The number of households in temporary accommodation in Scotland increased by 6% to 16,634.
• The number of children in temporary accommodation in Scotland also increased by 5% to 10,360.
• The average numbers of days spent in temporary accommodation for applicants nationally was 234.

Perth and Kinross Council performance

We have been repeatedly recognised as one of the leading local authorities in Scotland in this area of work. Reflecting the national picture, the situation has been challenging for us, but the statistics show that Perth & Kinross Council's Housing Service is continuing to deliver very positive outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

The figures show that, despite significantly increased demand alongside a sharp reduction in properties available to allocate, in key performance indicators such as the average duration of homelessness and average length of stay in temporary accommodation we continue to be well below the national average.

The new Scottish Government performance statistics showed that in Perth & Kinross from April to September 2024 we had:

• 462 homeless applications, which is the same number as this time last year.
• 203 live cases on 30 September 2023, an increase of 53.
• 63 households in temporary accommodation, which represents a 14% decrease on the previous year's figure. Only two other local authorities had less households in temporary accommodation.
• 5 children in temporary accommodation, marking a 50% decrease from the previous year.  We are one of only two local authorities with such a low number of children in this accommodation.
• In terms of average length of stay in temporary accommodation we recorded the second-best performance nationally, with an average of 71 days.

The Council has taken a 'Home First' approach to tackling homelessness since 2017. Home First was introduced with the aim of providing a direct route for homeless people into settled accommodation, reducing the need for temporary accommodation and minimising the duration, impact, stigma, and cost of homelessness.

In 2018, the Scottish Government instructed all local authorities in Scotland to produce a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) - with the main aim of moving to a rapid rehousing approach over a five-year period. Our Home First approach enabled Perth & Kinross Council to deliver a rapid rehousing model well before the target timescale of 2023/24.

Homelessness will continue to be a significant issue for all local authorities, but we are confident that our approach will enable us to deliver excellent homelessness services in Perth and Kinross for everyone who needs help and support in their time of need.

The statistics reflect our commitment to reduce homelessness in Perth and Kinross, and a determination that anyone facing homelessness will be provided with settled accommodation quickly to help them lead a quality life and reduce the stigma attached to homelessness.