Crisis Scotland

21/08/2026

We're calling for John Swinney to match Andy Burnham's political will and leadership to end rough sleeping.

Homelessness is a political choice that can be ended with the right will and investment.

The First Minister must use his upcoming Programme for Government to commit to ending homelessness for good.

https://www.dailymail.com/wires/pa/article-16066739/Commit-ending-rough-sleeping-Swinney-urged.html

21/08/2026

The best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

But what does that look like?

▶️ Watch to find out – and if you believe we should stop more people from experiencing the trauma and indignity of homelessness, share this video or take action here: https://campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/192438/petition/1

20/08/2026

The Prime Minister's announcement to end rough sleeping in England is a welcome one.

But in Scotland we haven't seen any new initiatives to help rough sleepers and tackle the most dangerous form of homelessness.

We have one of the most progressive legal systems for homelessness in the world.

With political will and a focus on preventing homelessness before it happens, the Scottish Government could end all forms of homelessness.

Watch our Head of Policy and Communications, Maeve McGoldrick discuss the implications of yesterday's announcement for Scotland with STV News and BBC Scotland News ▶️

19/08/2026

Westminster has just announced plans to end rough sleeping in England. But what does that mean for Scotland? 🏴

The law on homelessness in Scotland is different. In 2012, Scotland abolished priority need. That means everyone should have the right to a settled home.

The Scottish Government has also committed to making Housing First, a proven but radical way to end homelessness, available for all rough sleepers – but this hasn’t happened in practice.

Rough sleeping in Scotland has doubled in the past five years since 2021, with 2,700 people sleeping rough the night before they make a homeless application. That’s in part due to a homelessness response system that’s crisis-led rather than preventative.

For Scotland to continue to lead the way in ending homelessness, we need to turn ambition into action and match leadership with delivery – by preventing homelessness before it happens and accelerating Housing First.

19/08/2026

Maeve McGoldrick also appeared on BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live, discussing Andy Burnham's plans to get everyone in England off the streets by Christmas.

The First Minister needs to show the same level of leadership and political will to end all forms of homelessness in Scotland

Listen from 13:04:00 ▶️

News updates from Scotland and beyond, plus all your lunchtime sport, travel and weather.

19/08/2026

Our Head of Policy and Communications, Maeve McGoldrick appeared on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast this morning to discuss the Prime Minister's plans to end rough sleeping.

Scotland's legal context should mean that everyone has the right to a settled home. However, rough sleeping has more than doubled in the past three years.

Listen from 02:36:00 ▶️

News from across Scotland and the world, plus sport, weather and big name interviews.

17/08/2026

For everyone in Scotland who went last week, here are some essentials you’ll need:

📖 Books
✏️ Pencils

Yet over 10,000 children in Scotland don’t have the most basic essential of a safe and stable home.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

If we urgently build more of the right type of homes in the right places, give people better support to prevent homelessness and invest the money necessary to make this happen – we can end homelessness for good.

Join our campaign if you want to help us create a country where everyone has a safe and stable home: https://campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/192438/petition/1

13/08/2026

How can homelessness be prevented? 🤔

The best way to end homelessness is to stop it from happening in the first place.

Scroll for some examples of how we can do that and end homelessness for good 👉

If you believe we should stop more people from experiencing the trauma and indignity of homelessness, share this post or take action here: https://campaigns.crisis.org.uk/page/192438/petition/1

12/08/2026

One of our longest serving frontline workers, Julie, left our Edinburgh Skylight last month.

Since starting with us in 2015, Julie has advised, supported, and stood alongside countless members, transforming their lives and showing them that a life beyond homelessness is possible.

Julie has been an integral part of our outreach work in Edinburgh and the Lothians, collaborating with local job centres to take our services to the people who need it most.

In Julie’s words: “Supporting people out of homelessness isn’t just about putting a roof over their heads. A safe, secure home gives people dignity, self-respect, safety and confidence.

We need to tackle issues as soon as they arise – not just at crisis point. Some of my members have been through as many as 8 different services before they come to Crisis. Prevention is the key.”