South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has accused the UK and Scottish Governments of ‘chronic inaction’ on the homelessness crisis, following new figures released this week.

He called for more long-term solutions after the rent freeze failed to reverse the tidal wave of homelessness caused by the Tory economic crisis.

Dumfries and Galloway saw a 25 per cent increase in homelessness applications in 2022-23, compared to 2021-22. The figures rose from 998 to 1,252. The number of children associated with applications assessed as homeless or threatened by homelessness also rose in the region by 13% in the past year to 381- with the number of children living in temporary accommodation rising by a shocking 67% between 2022 and 2023.

Across Scotland, 39,006 homelessness applications were made in the past year, marking a stark increase of 3,247 compared to 2021-22.

This is the highest number of applications since records began.

Colin Smyth said: “This shocking situation is a damning indictment of both the UK and Scottish Governments who have presided over this crisis with chronic inaction.

“We need real solutions to get more people in our region properly housed.

“If you look at the figures for our region, homelessness applications have increased by a shocking 25 per cent in a year which puts Dumfries and Galloway as one of the worst in Scotland. The fact there are nearly 400 children within these figures and a 100 living in temporary accommodation should shame us all.

“These stark figures must be a wake-up call.

“Too many people in our area are in crisis and local services are struggling to support them.

“Even one household without somewhere to live is one too many.”