2,265 children stuck in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh

Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has warned that children in Edinburgh may be forced to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation.

Across Scotland, the number of children staying in temporary accommodation has soared to a shameful record high of 8,635.

This includes 2,265 children in Edinburgh – an increase of 20 per cent on the previous year and an appalling increase of 930 per cent since 2002.

Overall the length of time people have to spend in temporary accommodation has also been climbing year-on-year across Scotland, with families being hit hardest by long waits. 

In Edinburgh couples with children are now typically stuck in temporary accommodation for an average of 725 days.

Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “It is nothing short of a national scandal that 2,265 children in Edinburgh could be spending Christmas in temporary accommodation.

“Things are at crisis point across Scotland, after years of neglect under the SNP.

“Leaving children stranded in limbo for so long will have a devastating effect on their wellbeing, attainment and life chances.

“The SNP need to act urgently to fix this shameful dereliction of duty and make sure families in Edinburgh have the safe, secure housing they need. It is appalling that children can be stuck in temporary accommodation for nearly two years.”

ENDS

Notes 

Local Authority  Number of children in temporary accommodationAverage Days Spent in Temporary Accommodation in 2022 – Couple with Children


200220212022



Change
2021 to 2022
(%)

Change 2002 to 2022 (%)
Scotland2,3907,3858,63517%261%343
Aberdeen City158511029%633%76
Aberdeenshire706555-15%-21%84
Angus15202525%67%0
Argyll & Bute156045-25%200%196
Clackmannanshire45304550%0%64
Dumfries & Galloway506560-8%20%93
Dundee City100235215-9%115%656
East Ayrshire5404513%800%131
East Dunbartonshire658580-6%23%288
East Lothian701701806%157%614
East Renfrewshire52060200%1100%125
Edinburgh2201,8802,26520%930%725
Eilean Siar020200%126
Falkirk701601706%143%291
Fife19531539024%100%174
Glasgow City4752,2552,82525%495%359
Highland90210180-14%100%299
Inverclyde1550-100%-100%86
Midlothian10230155-33%1450%656
Moray4035350%-13%81
North Ayrshire5070757%50%141
North Lanarkshire100235230-2%130%126
Orkney15152033%33%0
Perth & Kinross15515200%0%77
Renfrewshire9555609%-37%112
Scottish Borders20405025%150%160
Shetland502015-25%-70%681
South Ayrshire909010517%17%175
South Lanarkshire17537043518%149%252
Stirling401801906%375%319
West Dunbartonshire30759020%200%243
West Lothian14025039056%179%397

Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/homelessness-scotland-2021-22/documents/ 

Naya Koulocheri (she/her) | Research & Communications Officer

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer