Central Scotland MSP Richard Leonard has called for government action after a steep rise in homelessness across the country.
The Scottish Labour leader blames a “lack of ambition and under-funding” for the increase in people sleeping rough.
Applications for homeless accommodation in North Lanarkshire alone rose to 2366 over the past year – numbers that Labour believe are as a result of the “austerity agenda pursued by both the UK Tory and SNP governments”.
Mr Leonard has highlighted how that is a three per cent increase from the previous year.
Figures published by the Scottish Government also reveal individuals are having to wait “hundreds” of days before being offered a home.
Mr Leonard said: “There is a housing crisis in Scotland.
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“It is clear that, for too long, a lack of ambition and under-funding has led to increased homelessness.
“Thousands of people are sleeping rough, in temporary accommodation, or on the sofa or the floor of friends and families.
“This is utterly unacceptable and urgent action is needed to end this plight.”
The MSP continued: “SNP cuts and Tory austerity are having a devastating impact on the lives of many Scots, including here in North Lanarkshire where the Scottish Government has cut the council budget by £250 million in the last 10 years.
“Scottish Labour is committed to building 12,000 new homes each year to ensure that we tackle the housing crisis in Scotland.
“Access to permanent accommodation, at a high standard, should be an absolute right and the current Scottish Government is badly letting down the most vulnerable in our society.”
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