Graham Simpson MSP has called for action to be taken to address the significant increase of children in temporary accommodation.
The number of children in temporary accommodation has risen dramatically in Scotland by 9 per cent from 6,058 in March 2017 to 6,615 in March 2018.
Homelessness for children can have a significant negative impact on mental health, physical health and educational attainment. Homeless children are three to four times more likely to have mental health problems, even after a year of being rehoused.
Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative Shadow Housing Minister, said “This rise of children in temporary accommodation is deeply concerning and a trend that we need to reverse. This issue is fundamentally one of housing supply and the SNP have repeatedly failed to meet housing targets. The number of new homes completed has fallen by a third under the SNP.
“The Scottish Conservatives have proposed a range of ideas to increase the housing stock available, from planning reform through innovative infrastructure funding to meaningful action on empty homes. We urge the SNP to back these ideas.
"The future direction of temporary accommodation in the coming years in Scotland, depends on the policy implementation of the SNP and future Scottish Government legislation. This situation should never have been allowed to get this bad and urgent action is needed get children out of temporary accommodation into permanent homes".