Housing association Home Group Scotland has worked with the City of Edinburgh Council to secure the eight larger family homes in a development in Queensferry.

Edinburgh has faced a significant rise in homelessness among children and families, with figures from Shelter Scotland in 2024 showing it had risen 148% in the past five years.

In March 2024, the data showed there were 3,127 children living in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh – with single parent households spending on average 600 days in temporary accommodation.

Housing associations like Home Group Scotland regularly provide affordable housing across the city, but it can be particularly difficult in the current housing crisis to find available larger bedroom homes suitable for families.

Schemes like the one with the City of Edinburgh Council ensure those families and children can have a fresh, positive start in their lives.

Bryony Willett, director of Home Group Scotland, said: “Being able to provide affordable housing like this in Queensferry is why we work in social housing. Through this partnership, we have been able to provide new starts to eight hardworking, local families.

“I’m so pleased to hear how we have been able to support customers like Davie and their family, and we are committed to continuing to deliver the types of affordable housing needed by people across Edinburgh, and our communities across Scotland.”

For customers like Davie, who we are not identifying due to a domestic issue, this housing has made an immediate difference in their lives.

Davie and his two children had found themselves temporarily homeless and cramped into his mother’s small flat after having to leave their home, with the small space taking a toll on his and his children’s mental health.

Now, he and his children have been able to move into a new home through the innovative scheme.

Davie said: “It’s been amazing. It has completed changed our lives. I can’t believe it; I still walk around the house as if it isn’t real. We were living in a two bedroom flat with my mum. Suddenly I was sharing a bedroom with my son. It wasn’t good for any of us.

“My two kids have had such a difficult time; it was a nightmare. But having this place now, it’s just made everyone a million times better. They can settle down and feel safe, and my whole family is in Queensferry and that is so important for the kids.

“When Home Group Scotland told me about the house and we signed the paperwork, I was so emotional. It was absolutely fantastic.”