Thousands of Scots families were left homeless on Christmas Day last year, according to shock figures.
Research by the Scottish Liberal Democrats found that 43,072 people did not have an adequate roof over their head during the 2021 festive season - including almost 14,000 children.
Edinburgh was the local authority with the highest number of homeless applications, with 5,470 requests covering 6,532 adults and 3,379 children. Glasgow, Fife and West Lothian also each recorded more than 2,000 homeless individuals, figures showed.
Paul McGarry, housing spokesman for the Lib Dems, called on the Scottish Government to adopt a raft of measures to end rough sleeping and a reliance on temporary accommodation.
The party is calling for 60,000 affordable homes to be built across the country, including 40,000 for social rent.
McGarry, who was made homeless himself at 16, said: "At Christmas time, most of us take for granted that we will be comfortable and secure with a roof over our heads.
"These figures show that tens of thousands of Scots are not so lucky. Many will be trapped in unstable situations, sofa-surfing or even living on the streets. This year, temporary council accommodation is more stretched than ever.
"Living without a secure home takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health. It sets back children’s development in a way that can leave them worse off for life. After a decade and a half in charge, the SNP have barely made a dent.
"It’s time to get to work building thousands more social homes across Scotland, offering new help to renovate loans to bring derelict homes back into use and strengthen our commitment to ending homelessness across Scotland."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Scotland has some of the strongest homelessness legislation in the world and key national bodies in the homelessness sector support the joint Scottish Government/Cosla Ending Homelessness Together action plan.
"We are introducing new homelessness prevention duties in the forthcoming housing Bill and we continue to support local authorities to develop Housing First programmes.
"A recent evaluation of Scotland’s Housing First pathfinder programme saw 579 people with experience of homelessness and multiple disadvantage receive keys to a new home and a new life.
"Our latest annual progress report shows that the number of people sleeping rough in Scotland continues to fall. We have taken important steps towards strengthening rights for tenants and preventing homelessness, and Scotland has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK."
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