Scottish Housing Crisis Intensified by Surge in Migrant Homelessness Applications
A 40% year-on-year increase in applications from refugees and migrants has strained social housing resources in Scotland, prompting calls for government action.
Homelessness applications in Scotland reached a record high in 2025-26, driven significantly by a 40% increase in applications from refugees and other migrants seeking housing. This surge has placed additional pressure on the nation's social housing system, with officials reporting a 272% rise in such applications since 2021-22.
In the 2025-26 period, 6,995 applications came from refugees, individuals with leave to remain, and those from Ukraine. This figure represents a substantial increase from the 5,010 applications received in the previous year and far exceeds the 1,880 applications recorded in 2021-22. Glasgow saw a 28% increase in these applications, totaling 3,545, while Edinburgh experienced a rise to 1,645 from 1,015 in 2024-25.
At the end of March 2026, there were 7,425 open homelessness cases involving refugees or those with leave to remain, a 42% increase compared to the prior year. Official statistics indicate that while applications from those with white Scottish ethnicity declined by 5%, applications from individuals with African ethnicity increased by 123%.
Scottish Conservative housing spokesman James Adams attributed the strain to the sharp rise in asylum seekers and refugees requiring accommodation. He criticized the Scottish National Party (SNP) government for "savage cuts to councils" and for not reinstating "proper local connection rules," arguing that scarce social housing is being stretched beyond its capacity. Adams advocated for prioritizing local people for social housing.
Reform UK Scotland's housing spokesman, Thomas Kerr, described the situation as a "complete national failure by the SNP," noting that temporary accommodation now houses a record number of households, including over 10,000 children. He stated that applications from refugees and those with leave to remain now constitute 17% of the total caseload. Kerr also highlighted that refugee and leave-to-remain cases make up 44% of Glasgow's housing caseload, overwhelming the system.
Overall, 53,842 individuals were assessed as homeless in 2025-26. The number of children in temporary accommodation reached a record high of 10,715, a 5% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the number of individuals sleeping rough the night before applying for housing assistance rose from 2,464 in 2024-25 to 2,949 in 2025-26.
Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin called for "urgent action" and expressed concern over the record number of children in temporary accommodation. Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville acknowledged that homelessness figures remain "far too high" and outlined government initiatives, including a £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund and plans for 1,500 Housing First tenancies.
Responding to the surge in applications from refugees and those with leave to remain, First Minister John Swinney's official spokesman stated that it is a "UK-wide issue" exacerbated by "UK Government Home Office mismanagement of asylum policy." He added that local authorities supporting asylum seekers are not receiving adequate support from the Home Office. When questioned about the pressure on social housing, the spokesman emphasized the importance of not stigmatizing individuals granted leave to remain.