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Any questions about these homelessness pages? Get in touch by email.

Causes of Homelessness

Relationship breakdown is the major cause of homelessness in Scotland, but homelessness can occur for reasons including:

  • family or friends unable to accommodate;
  • eviction due to mortgage or rent arrears;
  • fleeing domestic violence or abuse;
  • emergency such as flooding or fire;
  • discharge from the armed forces or from hospital;
  • mental health issues; or
  • addiction problems.

Important Topics

Government Activity

What we're doing to alleviate homelessness.

Information for Local Authorities

Duties of local authorities, prevention guidance and links to statistics and publications.

Housing Options Hubs

All about Housing Options Hubs.

Duties under s11

Homelessness Statistics

Read more about homelessness statistics and publications, including the operation of the Homeless Persons Legislation in Scotland, and notifications under s11 of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 of households at risk of homelessness due to eviction

Homelessness and Keeping your Home

hand opening doorTackling and preventing homelessness is a key part of fighting poverty and inequality in Scotland and is underpinned Scotland's 2012 Homelessness Target that by 2012 all unintentionally homeless households will be entitled to settled accommodation.

Being homeless doesn't mean not having a roof over your head or being out on the street. Only a tiny proportion of homeless people sleep rough. Many stay on friends' floors or with family, sometimes in precarious arrangements. Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a person should be treated as homeless even if they have accommodation, if it would not be reasonable for the person to continue to occupy it.

The Scottish Government is working with partners from local government, health and the third sector to put in place policies, guidance and legislation to prevent and alleviate homelessness and to ensure that every homeless person is able to receive information, advice and support according to their needs.

At risk of homelessness or have you lost your home?

Contact your local authority. They have a statutory responsibility to anyone threatened with or experiencing homelessness. By law, local authorities must offer a minimum of temporary accommodation, advice and assistance to all homeless households and those at risk of homelessness.

As well as advising you on your housing options, your local authority can help with financial, welfare and legal matters. It can put you in touch with other services that can help you, including social work or mediation services and organisations offering support for young people, people with disabilities or people with drug or alcohol problems.

The Shelter Scotland helpline provides free independent and specialist advice on housing related matters. Call it on 0808 800 4444 (lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm) or visit its website.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is another useful source of help and advice. Find details of your nearest bureau on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.

Page updated: Monday, January 23, 2012