Following the UK Prime Minister's commitment to ending rough sleeping as a 'first instruction' to his new government, homelessness charity Crisis Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to urgently scale up its own response to ending homelessness.

While Scotland boasts some of the most progressive homelessness legislation globally, Crisis Scotland warns that rising numbers of people forced onto the streets demonstrate that legislative ambition is not being met with action on the ground. The charity is urging Holyrood to adopt a dual approach: properly resourcing prevention measures to stop homelessness before it starts, alongside a mainstream rollout of Housing First for those already in crisis.

Maeve McGoldrick, Head of Policy & Communications at Crisis Scotland, said:

"It is hugely encouraging to see this level of political leadership and ambition from the new Prime Minister. Committing to end rough sleeping as a 'first instruction' sends a clear message that homelessness is a political choice, and with the right will and investment, it is a problem that can be solved.

"Scotland has long prided itself on having some of the most progressive homelessness rights in the world, but with multiple local authorities declaring housing emergencies as their temporary accommodation stock fills, and record numbers of people sleeping rough, that system is under unprecedented strain.

"To match the ambition we are seeing from Westminster, the Scottish Government must deliver a dual approach: robust prevention measures to ensure action is taken before a person reaches crisis, alongside an unyielding commitment to Housing First for those already sleeping rough. While Scotland has rightly legislated for prevention and adopted the philosophy of rapid rehousing, the increasing numbers of people forced onto our streets make it painfully clear that ambition is yet to be matched by action on the ground.

"For people sleeping rough, particularly those with complex trauma or support needs, the evidence is undeniable: Housing First works. It is a simple philosophy, providing a secure, settled home alongside the wraparound support needed to keep it. Where it has been implemented, it has transformed lives, yet we need to see it scaled up from a project-based approach to a national, mainstream reality.

"We are currently spending millions managing homelessness rather than preventing and ending it. Crisis Scotland urges the First Minister, in his upcoming programme for government, to match the political will and leadership shown today, and commitment Scotland to ending homelessness for good. This means making our public services work better together to give people support much earlier on, to double down on building the type of homes needed locally, and make sure councils are funded to make Housing First available to every person sleeping rough across Scotland.”