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.
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How long does it take to complete the homelessness application process?
Key points in 2025-26
- It took 17 days on average for a homelessness case to be assessed: a day less than last year.
- It took 277 days on average from assessment to case closure for homeless households; a decrease compared to 281 last year
How long does it take for an application to be processed?
In 2025-26 it took 17 days on average for a case to be assessed following an application, a day shorter than 2024-25. The longest average time in 2025-26 was 37 days in East Renfrewshire – a decrease from 42 the previous year. Inverclyde and Perth & Kinross had the shortest average time of 10 days each.
It took 277 days on average from assessment to case closure in 2025-26, four days less than the previous year.
Edinburgh had the highest average of 688 days from assessment to case closure, with West Lothian the next highest at 433 days. Aberdeenshire had the lowest average at 73 days, although this was an increase from 58 days the previous year.
For households not assessed as homeless, where the local authority does not have a duty to provide temporary accommodation or permanent settled accommodation, the average time to close a case was 26 days. This is a decrease from 36 days the previous year although there was an increase overtime (from 7 days in 2002-03). Angus was the highest (78 days compared to 28 the previous year).