Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, has slammed the SNP for presiding over a worrying rise in homelessness rates in Lanarkshire.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after homelessness statistics published today show the number of open homelessness applications in Scotland has hit 28,944 – the highest since data collection began in 2002 and up 29% from 2019 levels.
The number of homelessness applications has also increased, rising by 6% compared to this time last year, from 17,992 to 19,066.
Data shows that in North Lanarkshire the number of applications increased from 2021-22 by 13%. Between April and September 2022 there were 907 applications, this was up from 802 in April to September 2021.
In South Lanarkshire, during the same period, applications rose by 10% from 1,102 in April to September 2021 to 1,214 in April to September 2022.
Mr Simpson says these figures are further evidence that this SNP-Green government are presiding over a homelessness crisis in Scotland.
He added that it is extremely concerning that the number of homelessness applications continue to rise in Lanarkshire despite repeated warnings from charities like Shelter Scotland.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “These figures are utterly disgraceful. The SNP-Green government are presiding over a homelessness crisis in Scotland, yet they are doing precious little to try and fix it.
“Homelessness applications continues to rise in Lanarkshire despite repeated warnings from charities like Shelter. That should be a source of shame for ministers.
“The Scottish Conservatives, as recently as last week, have been calling on SNP-Green Ministers to declare a housing emergency but they have failed to act.
“We need to see urgent action from this Government, otherwise we will only continue to see a sharp increase in people becoming homeless across our villages and towns in Lanarkshire.”
