Official statistics published today have revealed that fewer people in Scotland are becoming homeless.

Between April and June 2013, the Scottish Government said 9,474 homelessness applications were received, an 11% decline from the same quarter in 2012; while, as of the end of June 2013, there were 2,821 households with children in temporary accommodation – a fall of 14% compared to one year earlier. These households contained a total of 4,574 children, a decrease of 727 since 2012.

Commenting on the figures, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "I know the heartache and trauma of homelessness from working closely with households faced with the prospect of losing the roof over their head and welcome the continued fall in homelessness across Scotland.

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"This builds on our historic achievement last year in meeting the homelessness 2012 target.

"While we welcome this continued improvement, we are concerned that Westminster's welfare changes may undermine this good work.

"Over the past few years councils have been developing services in which staff assist households to consider their range of housing options to address their individual housing needs in order to help prevent homelessness before it occurs.

"Alongside this we want to increase housing supply to ensure settled accommodation can be accessed by households as quickly as possible and avoid them spending too much time in temporary accommodation. Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a vital part of our efforts to build a better and fairer Scotland."

Minister Burgess continued: "This Government aims to deliver 30,000 affordable homes - including 20,000 for social rent, over the life of this Parliament. Over the next three years we will be making over £900 million available for affordable housing.

"We will continue to work with councils and their partners to prevent homelessness and improve outcomes for households that do become homeless."

(JP/IT)