Thousands of children were made homeless during the pandemic, according to shock new figures branded a “national disgrace.” At one stage, almost 8000 children were without a roof over their head and forced to live in temporary accommodation such as hostels and B&Bs.
Housing campaigners have reacted with concern to the latest figures and have called for the building of more affordable homes to keep kids off the streets.
Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “It is a national disgrace that thousands of households and more than 7500 children are stuck in temporary accommodation."Everyone has a right to a permanent home and temporary accommodation can never be an adequate substitute.
Increasing the supply of social housing will tackle the root causes of homelessness.”In March 2019 the number of children without a home was 6795 but by September 2020, following six months of lockdown, that had shot up to 7900.