Rapid increase in recorded numbers of disabled people made homeless

Rapid increase in recorded numbers of disabled people made homeless

The number of physically disabled people identified as homeless or at risk of homelessness has risen by 44% in the past four years.

Scottish Government figures show a steady increase from 2013/14, where 898 disabled people were in need of support, to 2016/17, where it rose to 1,292.

The rapid rise was highlighted in analysis by Scottish Labour, which said they showed the urgent need for a joined-up homelessness strategy across all government areas.

The party said further cuts to local government meant that more and more vulnerable people will slip through the net and find themselves threatened with homelessness.

Scottish Labour housing spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “Our councils can’t solve this on their own – not with the £1.5 billion this government has cut from public services over the last ten years. Homelessness rights are only as good as the services available to meet them.”

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