Homelessness in Scotland: 2024-25

This statistics bulletin provides information on homelessness in Scotland in the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, alongside historical data.


Main findings: 2024-25

Box 1 • Decrease in applications while open applications and temporary accommodation continue to rise o There were 40,688 homelessness applications recorded in 2024-25. This is a decrease of 1% compared to 2022-23 (41,054)  o There were 31,695 open homelessness cases at 31 March 2025 an increase of 1% compared to 2024 (31,513) o There was a total of 17,240 households in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2025; an increase of 6% compared to 2024 (16,330)   Box 2 • 34,067 households assessed as homeless o 38,674 adults o 15,046 children  Box 3 • The number of households reporting rough sleeping the night before application has increased from 1,932 to 2,465 and in the three months prior from 3,058 to 3,579  Box 4 • The number of children in temporary accommodation decreased by 2% compared to last year from 10,360 in 2024 to 10,180 in 2025. • Households with children spend on average, the longest time in temporary accommodation. • There were 16,485 instances where temporary accommodation was not offered. This was double the previous year (7,995).   Box 5  • 82% of unintentionally homeless households secured settled accommodation.   • Average time from assessment to case closure has increased over time from 257 days in 2020-21 to 280 days in 2024-25   Box 6  • Characteristics of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness (intentional or unintentional): o 62% aged 25 to 49 o 69% of households are single person, 25% contain children o 77% white ethnicity o 51% have at least one support need

  • Decrease in applications while open applications and temporary accommodation continue to rise.
    • There were 40,688 homelessness applications recorded in 2024-25. This is a decrease of 1% compared to 2023-24 (41,054).
    • There were 31,695 open homelessness cases at 31 March 2025 an increase of 1% compared to 2024 (31,513).
    • There was a total of 17,240 households in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2025; an increase of 6% compared to 2024 (16,330).
  • 34,067 households assessed as homeless
    • 38,674 adults.
    • 15,046 children.
  • The number of households reporting rough sleeping the night before application has increased from 1,932 to 2,465 and in the three months prior from 3,058 to 3,579.
  • The number of children in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2025 was 10,180 - a decrease from 10,360 at 30 September 2024.
  • Households with children spend on average, the longest time in temporary accommodation.
  • There were 16,485 instances where temporary accommodation was not offered. This was double the previous year (7,995).
  • 82% of unintentionally homeless households secured settled accommodation.
  • Average time from assessment to case closure has increased over time from 257 days in 2020-21 to 280 days in 2024-25.
  • Characteristics of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness (intentional or unintentional)
    • 62% aged 25 to 49.
    • 69% of households are single person, 25% contain children.
    • 77% white ethnicity.
    • 51% have at least one support need.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

homelessness_statistics_inbox@gov.scot

Back to top