HOMELESSNESS in Scotland could grow by a third over the next two years unless governments act, say campaigners.
That was the stark warning from researchers at Heriot-Watt University who studied housing market data and economic forecasts for homelessness charity Crisis.
They found “core homelessness” — the number sleeping rough, in hostels or in temporary accomodation — had grown by 11 per cent between 2020 and 2022 to 18,400, but could be set to grow by a third to 24,500 by 2026.
The report recommended actions such as raising working-age benefits to prevent destitution.
Matt Downie of Crisis said: “We can’t just sit back and watch as more people are forced onto the streets, to sleep in cars or garages, or spent months or years trapped in emergency accommodation that just isn’t fit for their basic needs.
“We know what causes homelessness and we know how to end it. By working together, we can build a Scotland where everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.”
The report was published as tenants’ union Living Rent launched its campaign to prevent thousands of evictions when emergency Scottish government legislation capping rents and banning evictions is due to end.
The union says tenants already skipping meals to pay the bills will be “pushed to the edge” by rocketing rents, such as the 86.2 per cent hike seen in Glasgow and the 79.3 per cent rise in Lothian (covering Edinburgh) since 2010.
Living Rent secretary Aditi Jehangir said: “The rent cap provided a bandage on a growing crisis but it did not address the fundamental issues.
“As the rent cap showed, when government regulation is not strong enough, landlords exploit every loophole and opportunity to increase rent whilst crying out that regulations are the problem.
“Let’s be clear, it’s landlords who have milked our need for a home by increasing rents beyond what we can afford.
“Tenants need action in the form of protections before the end of the rent cap and eviction ban in March or else we will see a tidal wave of evictions and rent increases.”
Housing minister Paul McLennan MSP said: “Scotland has the strongest rights across the UK nations for people experiencing homelessness.
“Tackling homelessness is a key priority for the Scottish government and anyone threatened with or experiencing homelessness is entitled to advice and accommodation if they need it.”
