Labour MSP Foysol Choudhuryhas warned that children may be stuck in temporary accommodation this Christmas, with the latest figures showing 850 families in Edinburgh were in temporary accommodation.
Across Scotland, the number of families in temporary accommodation has hit a 10 year high, with latest figures suggesting 3,645 families are in temporary accommodation.
The length of time people are spending stranded in temporary accommodation is also rising nation-wide. Since its low point in 2014, this figure has increased by an astonishing 47 per cent.
In Edinburgh, not only are there 850 families stuck in temporary accommodation, but the average stay for a couple with children is an appalling 541 days.
Edinburgh Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “It is a scandal that so many children across Scotland will be stuck in temporary accommodation this Christmas.
“Here in Edinburgh there are 850 families in temporary accommodation, with families typically waiting 541. It is simply unacceptable.
“These children are being badly failed by the SNP, who have ignored the warning signs year after year.
“Leaving thousands of children in limbo for months on end will have a devastating impact on these children’s wellbeing, attainment and life chances.
“This is not a housing strategy – it is a total dereliction of duty that should shame the SNP.
“Families must have the safe and secure housing they need, and children should never bear the burden of the failures of the SNP Government .”
Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/homelessness-scotland-2020-2021/documents/
| Number of households with children or a pregnant woman in temporary accommodation | Average stays in temporary accommodation (2020-21) | |||||||
| Single Person | Single Parent | Couple | Couple with Children | Other | Other with Children | All | ||
| Scotland | 3,645 | 182 | 235 | 190 | 341 | 209 | 294 | 199 |
| Aberdeen City | 50 | 144 | 88 | 210 | 117 | 77 | 103 | 131 |
| Aberdeenshire | 35 | 134 | 124 | 159 | 163 | 123 | 136 | 134 |
| Angus | 5 | 238 | 163 | 207 | 9 | . | 289 | 229 |
| Argyll & Bute | 30 | 249 | 212 | 75 | 461 | 151 | 179 | 243 |
| Clackmannanshire | 15 | 136 | 91 | 137 | 94 | 58 | 200 | 128 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 30 | 126 | 141 | 117 | 190 | 156 | 200 | 130 |
| Dundee City | 105 | 141 | 188 | 196 | 457 | 187 | 209 | 161 |
| East Ayrshire | 20 | 116 | 136 | 96 | 137 | 143 | . | 121 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 45 | 390 | 481 | 322 | 328 | 206 | 386 | 400 |
| East Lothian | 90 | 363 | 282 | 269 | 259 | 302 | 630 | 343 |
| East Renfrewshire | 15 | 163 | 237 | 133 | 286 | 287 | 304 | 176 |
| Edinburgh | 850 | 264 | 458 | 312 | 541 | 205 | 519 | 318 |
| Eilean Siar | 10 | 349 | 294 | 105 | 285 | . | . | 327 |
| Falkirk | 105 | 188 | 240 | 175 | 212 | 289 | 95 | 198 |
| Fife | 165 | 182 | 163 | 105 | 254 | 203 | 242 | 179 |
| Glasgow City | 925 | 191 | 298 | 238 | 391 | 341 | 427 | 225 |
| Highland | 130 | 357 | 329 | 328 | 412 | 179 | 321 | 350 |
| Inverclyde | 5 | 110 | 184 | 121 | . | . | 380 | 118 |
| Midlothian | 160 | 452 | 778 | 27 | 865 | 241 | 615 | 614 |
| Moray | 20 | 161 | 105 | 140 | 210 | 130 | 109 | 150 |
| North Ayrshire | 45 | 154 | 107 | 196 | 346 | 160 | 50 | 149 |
| North Lanarkshire | 115 | 139 | 130 | 87 | 172 | 138 | 188 | 136 |
| Orkney | 10 | 212 | 227 | 21 | 108 | 249 | . | 210 |
| Perth & Kinross | 5 | 80 | 82 | 62 | 130 | 28 | 89 | 79 |
| Renfrewshire | 35 | 118 | 109 | 201 | 316 | 78 | 146 | 117 |
| Scottish Borders | 25 | 133 | 131 | . | 289 | 98 | 122 | 134 |
| Shetland | 15 | 397 | 263 | 308 | 231 | . | . | 379 |
| South Ayrshire | 55 | 147 | 162 | 136 | 153 | 122 | . | 149 |
| South Lanarkshire | 220 | 151 | 277 | 241 | 348 | 150 | 310 | 197 |
| Stirling | 100 | 230 | 255 | 214 | 266 | 517 | 41 | 237 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 50 | 230 | 149 | 157 | 188 | 71 | 157 | 214 |
| West Lothian | 165 | 171 | 245 | 284 | 259 | 185 | 334 | 197 |
