Wightman says figures showing rise in number of children living in temporary accommodation are national disgrace
Andy Wightman, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said figures released today (23 Jan) showing that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 10 per cent over a year prove that the situation is a "national disgrace".
There were 6,581 children living in temporary homes on September 30 last year, up by 594 compared with the same day in 2016.
Andy Wightman MSP said:
"While today’s figures indicate that the overall number of applications for homeless assistance has reduced in the last decade, there are signs that we are still a long way off from addressing homelessness.
"It is a national disgrace that Edinburgh has the largest increase of all councils in the number of children living in temporary accommodation – up 10 per cent in the last year. Temporary arrangements can often be inappropriate and can affect the health and wellbeing of children and families.
"It is time for a new approach to tackling homelessness and adopt the Housing First model that has proved successful in New York and Finland."