FOI request reveals number of households in the Scottish Borders facing homelessness this Christmas
It's supposed to be a time of celebration.
But Greatest Hits Radio can reveal 359 households in the Scottish Borders are currently registered homeless - with just over two weeks to go until Christmas.
That's 27 more than at the same time two years ago, and just one down on last year.
Scottish Borders Council released the figures following a Freedom of Information request, after it agreed funding to allow work to be completed on a new social housing development in Peebles.
The highest number of households here without a permanent roof over their heads reached 403 in June.
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Reacting to the figures, Tweeddale councillor Julie Pirone said: "It is extremely sad that we still have hundreds of people waiting for homes.
"Our homeless service within the council do a great job finding properties for people, as do our housing associations, who work really hard to accommodate everyone.
"But, the sad fact is, we don't have enough homes - we need more, and we need them quickly."
And she added: "We need governments to realise that that housing makes an invaluable difference to people's lives."
Last week, Scottish Borders Council's Executive committee agreed to plug a funding gap of £600,000 to ensure that 22 new homes are built in Peebles.
The cash is to be taken from the local authority's second homes council tax affordable housing investment budget to support the delivery of affordable housing at Tweedbridge Court, on the site of the redundant Margaret Blackwood building.
Welcoming the investment in the £6million Eildon Housing project, Councillor Pirone said: "These developments are much-needed. And, by continuing to work together we will get there."
But she added: "It's not a quick-term fix. And declaring a housing emergency means that it's in the forefront of everyone's mind, that we have an issue with the amount of homes we have available for rent and affordable rent."
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