NEW figures showing West Dunbartonshire has the highest homelessness rate of any Scottish council area are a cause for serious concern, says Dumbarton’s MSP.

According to Scottish Government figures, West Dunbartonshire had 11.9 households assessed as homeless per 100,000 people – almost double the Scottish average.

The figures also suggest Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis with statistics showing that in 2020/21 the number of households in temporary accommodation reached its highest point for any year since records began in 2002.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie said that the figures are a cause for serious concern and requires urgent action from both West Dunbartonshire Council and the Scottish Government.

Ms Baillie said: “The fact that West Dunbartonshire has the highest rate of households assessed as homeless in the whole of Scotland points to the need for urgent action at the highest level.

“We are all aware of the awful impact that Covid-19 has had on household finances and individuals’ ability to pay rent and bills.

“As restrictions begin to ease, so too do the measures that have been put in place to protect families from homelessness.

“The SNP’s refusal to extend the evictions ban to those experiencing all levels of restrictions has created a ticking time bomb of homelessness in our local area and across Scotland.

“The Scottish Government and West Dunbartonshire Council must work together urgently to tackle both the problem of homelessness in our community as well as addressing the causes of homelessness – many of which are completely outwith peoples’ control – so that we see a decrease in local figures, rather than a further increase.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: “We remain committed to doing all we can to tackle homelessness by ensuring our most vulnerable residents get the support they need.

“Our homelessness team has delivered an amazing response to unprecedented demand on the service throughout the pandemic, providing homeless households with a quick and sustainable solution to their housing needs.

“While these recent figures are high, we have a wide variety of supports in place including our rapid rehousing plan and Housing First West Dunbartonshire, which provide a person centred approach based on long term housing solutions for those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

“In addition, we offer advice on employment, benefits and health as well as support to ensure the root causes of people finding themselves homeless are addressed.

“These initiatives combined with the delivery of over 240 new council homes this year, will positively impact in combatting homelessness.”

Shona Robison MSP, Scotland’s cabinet secretary for housing, said: “Throughout the pandemic, the Scottish Government’s priority has been to keep people safe from coronavirus.

“We introduced protections to prevent evictions, which have contributed to a 42 per cent reduction in homelessness applications from the private rented sector.

“Last week we announced a £10 million fund to support tenants who are struggling as a direct result of the pandemic.

“The number of people sleeping rough in the areas where it was concentrated is now at a record low.

“Although this has contributed to an increase in the numbers in temporary accommodation, our utmost objective now is to step up our work with councils to ensure people are supported into permanent settled accommodation.

“We are investing £37.5 million to support councils to prioritise settled accommodation for all.”