Publication - Statistics
Homelessness in Scotland: 2025-26
This statistics bulletin provides information on homelessness in Scotland in the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, alongside historical data.
Part of
Main findings: 2025-26
- Slight increase in applications with much larger increases for open applications and temporary accommodation.
- 41,443 homelessness applications in 2025-26. This compares to 41,246 in 2024-25 (0%).
- 34,964 open homelessness cases at 31 March 2026; an increase of 10% compared to 2025 (31,873).
- 19,004 households in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2026; an increase of 10% compared to 2025 (17,240).
- 10,715 children in temporary accommodation at 31 March 2026; an increase of 5% compared to 2025 (10,180).
- 35,002 households assessed as homeless.
- 39,420 adults (decrease of 74).
- 14,442 children (decrease of 1,553).
- Continued increase in reporting rough sleeping.
- The number of households reporting rough sleeping the night before application has increased from 2,464 to 2,949 and in the three months prior from 3,579 to 4,115.
- Households with children and with open cases spend, on average, longer in temporary accommodation.
- 21,800 instances where temporary accommodation was not offered in 2025-26 compared to 16,460 in 2024-25.
- 7,760 breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2025-26, compared to 7,810 in 2024-25.
- Decrease in applications from British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and those not eligible and increase for other eligibilities which includes refugees and those with leave to remain status.
- 83% of unintentionally homeless households secured settled accommodation.
- Average time (days) from assessment to case closure was 277 in 2025-26 compared to 281 in 2024-25.
- Characteristics of households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness (intentional or unintentional)
- 62% aged 25 to 49.
- 71% of households are single person, 24% contain children.
- 74% white ethnicity.
- 50% have at least one support need.