Housing Options (Prevent1) Statistics in Scotland: 2024-25

Approaches for housing support

Housing Options approaches stabilised in the last year after a period of increase following the pandemic

Chart 1: Annual Housing Options approaches, 2014-15 to 2024-25

A total of fifteen local authorities experienced an increase in approaches in the lsat year. The largest numerical increases were in North Lanarkshire (from 2,423 to 3,110, 28%) and Glasgow (from 16,002 to 16,666, 4%). Highland had the largest proportionate increase (from 55 to 272, 395%) due to a renewed focus on homelessness prevention.

Fifteen local authorities experienced a decrease in approaches. The largest numerical decreases were in Fife (1,277 to 986, 23%), Aberdeen City (3,077 to 2,804, 9%) and Edinburgh (5,487 to 5,245, 4%).

Open cases experienced a decrease for the first time in the time series

Chart 2: Open cases as at 31 March, 2015 to 2025

This is largely a result of Glasgow whose open cases decrease by 82% from 2,820 at March 2024 to 510 at March 2025.

There were 43,978 unique households that made 48,453 approaches in 2024-25. The vast majority of households made one approach only (92%), with 1% making three or more.

The national rate of approaches is 172 per 10,000 households, though this varies greatly between local authorities. Glasgow had the highest rate (462) followed by Perth & Kinross (303). The lowest rates were recorded in Eilean Siar and East Dunbartonshire (4 and 12, respectively). These variations are likely reflective of local authorities taking different approaches to Housing Options services.