The number of homeless people in Renfrewshire has increased, according to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government.
A report, Homelessness in Scotland 2021/22, reveals that there were 712 homelessness applications and households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness in the local authority area between March 2021 and March 2022.
The total is more than the 677 recorded in the previous year, and represents a five per cent increase.
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Renfrewshire has the 15th most number of homeless people of any council area in Scotland.
There were 35,230 homelessness applications recorded in Scotland as a whole in 2021/22. That represents an increase of three per cent compared to 2020/21 (34,286).
The most common reasons cited for homelessness in the report are household disputes, including violence or abuse (35 per cent) and being asked to leave (26 per cent).
Termination of tenancy by landlords was responsible for eight per cent of homelessness applications.
Prior to becoming homeless, 28 per cent of those affected were living in a family home and 20 per cent with friends/partners. There were 15 per cent who were living in privately rented accommodation prior to becoming homeless.
There were six per cent of applicants who reported rough sleeping during the three months prior to their application.
Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said the figures are a “wake up call” and called for greater efforts to prevent families falling into homelessness in the first place.
“The best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place. By offering people support earlier, and by widening responsibility for preventing homelessness, we can start to reduce the numbers of people in temporary accommodation and make sure everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.”
Renfrewshire Council say they have been working to ensure everybody in the area who registers as homeless is given a home.
A council spokesperson said: “We continue to support anyone facing homelessness and while there was an increase in line with the national trend, everyone who became homeless in Renfrewshire was provided with temporary accommodation.
“We have seen a drop in those recorded as having slept rough and the vast majority of people becoming homeless relates to single person households.
“We operate a 24-hour stand-by service for anyone who becomes homeless. During office hours people should call 0141 618 7200. Outside office hours they should call 0800 121 4466. Our website also provides information for people who are threatened with homelessness, including advice on housing options, what Benefits people are entitled to receive, legal advice, debt advice and how to get help.”
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