Homelessness figures are worst on record on SNP's watch

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today attacked record homelessness figures and set out their plans for tackling the SNP's scandalous neglect.

Figures published today show

• The number of households in temporary accommodation reached a new record high of 18,092, a 9% increase over the previous year.

• The number of live homeless applications is also the highest on record in the data presented, at 33,006.

• The same is true for the number of children in temporary accommodation, which has risen 1% to 10,480.

• Continued increases in rough sleeping with 1,083 reporting rough sleeping during the three months prior to their application and 784 household's applicants reporting rough sleeping the night before.

Scottish Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson and lead candidate for Central Scotland Paul McGarry said:

"The SNP are breaking records in all the wrong ways.

"Mairi McAllan was supposed to offer them a fresh start but things have gone from bad to worse. It's clear housing is not a priority for the SNP.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out plans for more affordable homes to help address homelessness, the introduction of help to renovate loans to bring derelict homes back into use, an increase in the number of homes constructed for social rent and to re-establish social rent as a valid, long-term option for people and action to address the additional challenges for young homeless people with special pathways to link suitable jobs and training to housing."