The level of homelessness in Dumfries and Galloway is higher than it was before the pandemic. New government figures show nearly 500 households were deemed to be homeless or at risk of homelessness between April and September last year – up more than a quarter on 2021.
And it’s also higher than the same period in 2019, when the figure was 354. The data also shows there were 660 homelessness applications to the council over the same period, with the increase the second highest in Scotland.
South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth said: “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. “The second largest rise in homelessness applications in Scotland was seen in Dumfries and Galloway, which is also a concern. “More and more Scots are facing homelessness – this is a national emergency.