New data from Scottish Labour reveals a 65% increase in the number of Scots seeking crisis accommodation due to mortgage defaults, rising from 108 to 178 in one year.
The number of homelessness applications due to eviction from rent arrears has also increased by 74%.
According to a freedom of information from Scottish Labour, there were 455 homelessness applications in the 2022/23 year because of terminated tenancies over rent arrears, up from 262 in the previous year.
Scottish Labour’s housing spokesman, Mark Griffin, criticised both the Scottish Government and Westminster’s response. “The fact that these figures have risen so drastically in just one year is a damning indictment of both Governments’ chronic inaction on this crisis,” he said.
Griffin added: “The Tory mortgage bombshell has already put thousands of Scots at risk. Instead of offering support, the SNP has left Scots to weather this storm alone. These numbers are likely to get worse unless more is done.”
Scottish Labour is advocating for emergency support measures, including a mortgage rescue scheme and making mortgage support mandatory. “Unlike the SNP and the Tories, Scottish Labour has a plan to offer emergency support to help people keep their homes,” Griffin said.
