Every SCS Homes tenant has kept their home this year, as record homelessness figures put pressure on ministers
- Every tenancy in Simon Community Scotland’s SCS Homes project has been sustained this year, charity reveals
- Across Scotland, 83% of Housing First tenancies are still in place 12 months after they start
- The latest Scottish Government report on homelessness to 31st March 2026 highlighted that there were 41,443 homelessness applications, a slight increase of 197 compared to 2024–25
- A record 10,715 children are living in temporary accommodation in Scotland
- SCS Homes owns 32 homes in Edinburgh for people moving through Housing First, and every tenant has a named support worker and wider team support
- Kirsty, who has been affected by homelessness since she was a teenager, shares her story in a new film for This is Community, the campaign marking 60 years of Simon Community Scotland
Every tenant in Simon Community Scotland’s SCS Homes has kept their home this year, while more people in Scotland are living in temporary accommodation than ever before.
Scottish Government figures show 19,004 households, including 10,715 children, were in temporary accommodation as of March 2026, the highest on record.
New YouGov polling found 58% of adults want the Government to do more.
SCS Homes takes a different approach.
The charity owns 32 homes across Edinburgh and lets them at affordable rents to people moving through the Housing First programme. Each tenant has a dedicated support worker who offers support tailored to each individual situation.
Charlie West, SCS Homes & Support Coordinator at Simon Community Scotland, said: “SCS Homes are more than just a roof over someone’s head, our homes offer stability, security and a fresh start.
“Alongside a home, each person has a dedicated support worker who offers ongoing, person-centred support.
“That helps people sustain their tenancy, build confidence, develop independent living skills and connect with the wider community. We also help open doors to other services, opportunities and support networks.
“We believe success isn’t just about ending homelessness. It’s about helping people maintain a home, become part of their community and build a life they can be proud of.”
Kirsty is one of the people living in an SCS Home. For a long time, she didn’t know where she would be sleeping from one night to the next.
The night before she moved in, she almost talked herself out of it. Her support worker, Melissa, was there, and that made the difference.
Melissa kept turning up afterwards too, helping with ordinary things – like getting the flooring sorted, until the flat started to feel like Kirsty’s own.
Kirsty said: “Not knowing where you’re sleeping from night to night, that’s tiring. I kept myself clean, and I kept myself out of trouble, and I got this place. And that’s just changed my life.
“I’ve got all my family. I’ve got everything back. I am the happiest woman ever.”
Melissa brings her own story to the job. She said: “I’ve got lived experience as well with addiction.
“Being able to share that with people I support is a good thing, because it can give people who are in active addiction a bit of hope that actually, you can do this.”
Watch Kirsty’s film at https://simonscotland.org/this
Watch Kirsty’s video on YouTube here
Kirsty’s film is the latest in This is Community, Simon Community Scotland’s 60th anniversary campaign.
SCS Homes began in 2021 with £5m of social investment from the Social and Sustainable Housing Fund, managed by Social and Sustainable Capital. £1 million of which came from the University of Edinburgh. Homes are let at local housing allowance rents.
- Watch Kirsty’s film at https://simonscotland.org/this
- Watch Kirsty’s video on YouTube here
