Sarah Boyack has warned against a “cliff-edge” in housing support in Lothian as a report reveals the number of open housing advice cases hit its highest point on record after pandemic protections were stripped away.
“Housing Options” services provide support and advice for people facing homelessness or other housing issues. Most people who seek advice through this system will go on to make a homelessness application, with this being the outcome in 55 per cent of cases in 2021/22.
In Edinburgh, in 2021/22 the number people approaching this service fell by 2 per cent, however, the average time taken for the local authority to deliver this support rose by a shocking 179%, up to 148 days in 2021/22 from 53 days in 2020/21, making it highest increase among all local councils.
The number of open cases in Edinburgh climbed by 13 per cent to the highest point since records began in 2014/15.
The number of people in Scotland approaching the service at risk of homelessness because of termination of tenancy or mortgage due to rent arrears or default on payments soared by a staggering 53 per cent in a single year.
This sharp increase is likely the result of emergency protections introduced during the pandemic ending. Labour have called these figures a “stark warning” and urged the SNP government not to repeat its mistakes when measures introduced to manage the cost of living crisis come to an end.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack said: “This damning report lays bare how badly tenants and homeowners were abandoned after the pandemic.
“In Edinburgh, the council is struggling to cope with rising demand, with the need for high quality, affordable housing being more pressing than ever.
“People arriving from Ukraine are also in desperate need for accommodation.
“What will happen when the current rent freeze and evictions ban draw to an end?
“No-one should lose their home because of this cost of living crisis – we need a real long-term plan to prevent homelessness, protect tenants, and help homeowners, before a second wave of homelessness hits.”
Table 4a: Number of open PREVENT1 approaches as at 31 March, in Edinburgh: 2015 to 2022
| 2015 | 2,555 |
| 2016 | 2,875 |
| 2017 | 3,210 |
| 2018 | 3,515 |
| 2019 | 3,880 |
| 2020 | 4,725 |
| 2021 | 6,520 |
| 2022 | 7,370 |
| Change 2021 to 2022 % | 13% |
Table 6a: Reason for PREVENT1 approach: 2014-15 to 2021-22
| 2020-21 | 2021-22 | Change 20-21 to 21-22 % | |
| All Approaches | 37,412 | 40,062 | 7% |
| Homelessness type reasons: Termination of tenancy / mortgage due to rent arrears / default on payments | 361 | 554 | 53% |