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Decrease in homelessness applications in Moray


By Jonathan Clark

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THE amount of homelessness applications made in Moray dropped last year, new statistics show, with people searching for accommodation helped quicker than anywhere else in Scotland.

A total of 529 homelessness applications were made in Moray in the year ending September 2019, down five per cent on the 554 made in the year ending September 2018. The number nationwide was almost completely static, rising by nine from 36,375 to 36,384.

The amount of homelessness applications has fallen in Moray.
The amount of homelessness applications has fallen in Moray.

Eight local authorities have less homelessness applications than Moray, with neighbouring areas Highland (1190) and Aberdeenshire (1208) both receiving significantly more.

No authority secures settled accommodation for those made homeless more efficiently than Moray. A Scotland-best 89 per cent of households assessed as unintentionally homeless, over a six-month period, were given settled accommodation. The Scottish average is 81 per cent.

The average length of stay in temporary homeless accommodation Scotland wide is 98 days, with Moray slightly below this number. However, the number of people in Moray declared "intentionally homeless" is also a Scotland high, with 14 per cent of applicants falling into this bracket.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson, whose Banffshire and Buchan constituency includes areas of Moray, said: "Everyone should have a home of their own, and any level of homelessness is too high.

"While we must not become complacent, it is very welcome the number of applications in Moray has fallen.

"The SNP in government is determined to tackle homelessness and good progress is being made.

"It’s vital we do all we can to prevent homelessness, and ensure when it does happen support is available to move into settled accommodation quickly."


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