Homelessness in Scotland is likely set to rise, according to a new report published by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

The report adds that a combination of the 'bedroom tax', benefit sanctions and problems accessing financial assistance in times of crisis are behind the increase.

Of those surveyed, two in three housing associations said they had found an increase in the number of tenants looking for a transfer to another property after housing benefit changes meant those who were said to have extra rooms had their benefit payments reduced. The findings revealed that 26% of associations "believe the increased number of downsizing requests have impacted upon their ability to rehouse homeless households."

-- Advertisement --

The SFHA added that "around a fifth of housing associations reported having had homeless households refuse an offer of housing due to the bedroom tax."

Elsewhere, of the 42 housing associations who took part in the survey, 72% confirmed they had to help homeless people try to obtain "essential items, such as carpets, a cooker, a fridge or a bed, and were unable to obtain one or more of these items prior to re-housing."

One in 10 associations said that within the last six months, they had also experienced homeless applicants having to refuse an offer of housing as they did not have all these essential items.

David Ogilvie, SFHA Policy Manager, commented: "We are seriously concerned about how welfare reforms are impacting upon homeless households taking up new tenancies. It's abundantly clear that the odds of these households being able to secure and sustain a suitable tenancy are being increasingly stacked against them.

"Despite social landlords' best efforts to provide as much help as they can to new tenants – be that in terms of making sure tenants have the basic essentials or the right advice and support – our research shows that the cumulative impact of the 'bedroom tax', benefit sanctions and problems accessing financial assistance at times of crisis may drive up homelessness in Scotland.

"We would echo the words of the Welfare Reform Committee in its recently published report – we need a welfare system that is supportive, not punitive."

(JP/CD)