Live homelessness cases rise by 72% in Aberdeen
Homelessness applications have also increased by a quarter
Last updated 29th Aug 2023
Homelessness applications in Aberdeen have risen to their highest levels since 2010/11, while the number of live homelessness cases has risen by nearly three-quarters.
There's been 358 more applications for homelessness in 2022/23 (1,762) than the year prior.
That's a rise of 25%, significantly higher than the national average of 9%.
The number of live homelessness cases has also risen drastically to 609 in 2023, a rise of 72% from the year prior. It's the joint biggest rise in Scotland.
'Deeply worrying'
Commenting on the figures, Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: "Today’s statistics are deeply worrying.
"They show Scotland is facing the same trend as the rest of the UK where there is a clear impact on households of the current cost of living crisis and the continuing fall out from the pandemic on homelessness.
"Tackling homelessness is a key priority and it is critical that local government and other partners work with us to reach our shared goal of reversing these figures and delivering on our long term strategy for tackling homelessness.
"I am very disappointed by the high number of people, including many children, who were living in temporary accommodation in March 2023.
"Scotland has the strongest rights across the UK nations for people experiencing homelessness and - whilst it shows our legislation is working to make sure people are not roofless and provided with a home - temporary accommodation should be just that; temporary.
"The statistics also indicate our emergency tenant protection legislation has led to a drop in households becoming homeless from a private tenancy and we intend to take forward legislation to provide greater protections to prevent homelessness, keep rents affordable, and make tenancies more secure."