Hundreds of households in Lanarkshire are having to stay in temporary housing.
New figures have revealed the amount of people required to use the accommodation increased by over 100 in the region in just over a year.
In January 2020 there were 594 households being used for the accommodation in South Lanarkshire, a figure that had increased to a high of 741 by October of that year.
As of September 2021, the figures have dropped back slightly, to 680 households. In neighbouring North Lanarkshire the numbers actually decreased over a 14 month period, from 497 in January 2020 to 449 by March 2021.
South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) told Lanarkshire Live the situation has worsened due to the impact of coronavirus.
The figures were revealed in a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, with the party's housing spokesman, Paul McGarry, now calling for fresh action to tackle the homelessness crisis in Scotland.
He told Lanarkshire Live : "Living without a secure home takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health.
"It also sets back children’s development in a way that can leave them worse off for life.
"The rapid work to house people at the start of the pandemic showed what can be done when the political will is there.
"The SNP have had 14 years in charge and they have barely made a dent. It’s time to grasp the nettle and get to work building thousands more social homes across Scotland."
Lanarkshire Live understands that although numbers have increased, the amount of time that households spend in temporary furnished accommodation has reduced by 20 per cent, from September 2021 to September 2020.
In Cambuslang and Rutherglen, the average length of time in temporary accommodation dropped by 23 per cent.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, told us that the council is "committed" to ending homelessness and "reducing the impact" it has on households.
He added: "Through our rapid rehousing approach, we aim for all homeless households to spend the shortest possible time in temporary accommodation.
"Our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 2019-24 (RRTP) sets out our commitment to this, and our plan to achieve this.
"Since it was introduced, we have seen positive achievements including a reduction in long term homelessness, as well as fewer children living in temporary accommodation.
"Progress has however been impacted by the COVID pandemic that brought with it increased levels of homelessness and associated demand for temporary accommodation, particularly at the outset.
"Despite this pressure, and the disruption to the housing market and availability of permanent housing, we have seen a decrease in the average length of time homeless households spend in temporary accommodation.
"Working with other housing providers, we have increased the supply of temporary accommodation to meet demand, on an interim basis.
"We have also continued with a range of actions, including prioritising available housing to those applicants on the housing list in most need."
The Scottish Government have previously stated they are aiming to build 110,000 more affordable homes across the country by 2032.
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