Scottish government funding for temporary accommodation

The Scottish government has allocated an additional £40 million to councils to increase the supply of social and affordable homes.

The funding was originally confirmed in April and has so far boosted the affordable housing supply programme budget to nearly £600m this year. The funding will mostly be distributed to he five council areas with sustained temporary accommodation pressures - Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

The other 27 local authorities will receive a share of the remaining funding, with a further £40 million to be allocated next year.

The funds will be spent on purchase properties to help reduce the number of families in temporary accommodation or, where appropriate, to bring long term voids back into use.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “The delivery of affordable homes is the foundation of family life and is fundamental to how we achieve our priorities of eradicating child poverty and growing the economy.

“The key to tackling homelessness and reducing the time spent by families in temporary accommodation is to deliver more affordable homes.

“We have already supported councils to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes. However, we must do more and, by committing £40m this year, we are accelerating that work.

“This money will help councils provide a warm, safe place that families can call home again.”