Sixth local authority in Scotland declares housing emergency

A sixth local authority in Scotland has declared a housing emergency.

South Lanarkshire Council representatives voted in favour of a motion at its meeting on Thursday due to “heightened pressures” in housing and homelessness services across the area.

It comes after figures revealed that there has been a 28% increase in the number of people applying for assistance due to homelessness, a 38% increase in the number of people recorded as homeless – and a 101% increase in the backlog of urgent need homeless households awaiting housing.

The local authority joins Fife, Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow who have all previously declared housing emergencies.

The councils cited issues ranging from pressure on homelessness services, rising property prices, structural problems, and high levels of temporary accommodation.

Any declaration is intended as a signal to government that the current situation is not working and there needs to be intervention.

Proposed by councillor Davie McLachlan and seconded by councillor Margaret Cowie, a report confirming the motion read: “The Council agrees that, further to the report to the Executive Committee on May 8 on ‘Homelessness Pressures – Impact and Mitigation’ and heightened pressures on housing and homelessness services, a housing emergency be declared in South Lanarkshire.”

Councillors also passed motions calling on the new First Minister to deliver “fair funding” in support of a campaign on behalf of the local third sector.

The motion has called on central governments at Scottish and UK level to consider a full or partial restoration of ‘local connection’ within Scotland so that national housing targets can be met.

This would include the reversal of cuts to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme budget to ensure South Lanarkshire Council can deliver all 1,300 additional council homes set out in the Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

The Scottish Government have been contacted for comment.