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Rise in homeless children numbers Rise in homeless children numbers
(about 1 hour later)
Sixty children become homeless in Scotland every day, according to housing campaigners Shelter.Sixty children become homeless in Scotland every day, according to housing campaigners Shelter.
A study by the charity suggested 22,000 young people a year were affected by homelessness and poor housing- enough to fill every secondary school in Fife. A study by the charity suggested 22,000 young people a year were affected by homelessness and poor housing - enough to fill every secondary school in Fife.
The number of homeless families with children rose by 18% over five years, the charity said.The number of homeless families with children rose by 18% over five years, the charity said.
The Scottish Government has issued new guidance calling on local authorities to give children's needs priority.The Scottish Government has issued new guidance calling on local authorities to give children's needs priority.
The report also found there had been a 27% increase in the number of families with children in temporary accommodation over three years. The report also found a 27% increase in the number of families with children in temporary accommodation over three years.
Uncertain futureUncertain future
The charity said it feared the problems could worsen because of the economic problems.The charity said it feared the problems could worsen because of the economic problems.
Shelter Scotland's director Graeme Brown said: "A decent, warm, safe home is crucial to all aspects of children's well being. Shelter Scotland's director Graeme Brown said: "A decent, warm, safe home is crucial to all aspects of children's well being. We must do all we can to support children if their family is in this situation. Adam IngramChildren's minister
"Yet the facts show thousands of Scotland's children have to wake up every day in cold, damp, overcrowded homes, uncertain about their future.""Yet the facts show thousands of Scotland's children have to wake up every day in cold, damp, overcrowded homes, uncertain about their future."
Children's Minister Adam Ingram is due to speak at a Shelter conference on child homelessness on Tuesday.Children's Minister Adam Ingram is due to speak at a Shelter conference on child homelessness on Tuesday.
He said: "Although homelessness predominantly affects single people, we must do all we can to support children if their family is in this situation.He said: "Although homelessness predominantly affects single people, we must do all we can to support children if their family is in this situation.
"The relationships and bonds that young people form with friends, relatives and their schools are crucial to development, so it is vital that we minimise upheaval and ensure their voice is heard on decisions.""The relationships and bonds that young people form with friends, relatives and their schools are crucial to development, so it is vital that we minimise upheaval and ensure their voice is heard on decisions."
Glasgow homeless
In a separate study, researchers from Glasgow University suggested homeless people were four times more likely to die prematurely.
More than 6,000 homeless adults in Glasgow were tracked over a five-year period and their mortality compared with 13,500 non-homeless residents.
By the end of the study, 7% of the homeless group had died compared to 2% of the non-homeless group.
The most common causes of death among the homeless subjects were drugs, alcohol, circulatory diseases and suicide.
Dr David Morrison, from the research group, said: "This study has shown we have a large population of young, vulnerable homeless people who are in terrible health."
The study indicated Glasgow residents living in the most deprived areas were three times more likely to die than their affluent counterparts. Being homeless increased the risk of death another threefold.