Commenting on the news that Scotland’s Councils reported 29, 382 applications for homelessness assistance during April to September last year, an increase of 212 from the same period in 2009, Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson Jamie Stone MSP said:

“These unacceptable figures reveal that people are still affected by homelessness in Scotland. It is disappointing that these figures are still rising. Scots are still finding it hard to access affordable and sustainable housing.

“Liberal Democrats are proud to have helped to establish an ambitious target under the previous Executive to eradicate homelessness by 2012. We want to ensure that this target is maintained. We want to protect people that find themselves homeless in Scotland.

“We must ensure that housing in Scotland is sustainable, innovative and affordable and we will bring forward plans in our manifesto to tackle this.

“One way in which we want to achieve this is by making sure that we bring the 70,000 houses that are currently standing empty brought back into use in Scotland.

“Scotland must have a vibrant housing sector that is fit for purpose and protects the most vulnerable.”