Moray MP Douglas Ross has warned there can be “no room for complacency” in tackling the scourge of individuals and children living in temporary accommodation.
Douglas’ call comes after a Freedom of Information Request by the Scottish Conservatives highlighted the average length of time spent in temporary accommodation in councils across Scotland has now reached over 100 days.
However, in Moray the figure stood at 48.9 days for people of all ages and 53.9 days for children, which was the lowest average number of days out of the 31 councils which responded to the request.
Douglas has praised local officials and organisations for achieving this figure against a backdrop of “brutal cuts” to council budgets by the SNP-Green government.
However, he said it is still “wholly unacceptable” that on average people in Moray are still spending a month and half in temporary accommodation, while for children, it is close to two months.
Douglas says that the SNP-Green government need to ensure Moray Council have the resources to meet the demand for housing in rural areas to avoid people “suffering” in temporary accommodation.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “While it is pleasing to see that those in the Moray Council area are enduring the shortest waits in temporary accommodation, there can be no room for complacency.
“Local officials and organisations have done a terrific job against a backdrop of brutal cuts to council budgets and the pressures as a result of the global cost-of-living crisis.
“Nobody – particularly children – should be suffering living in temporary accommodation. It is still wholly unacceptable that on average adults and children who have no permanent roof over their heads in Moray are having to live in temporary accommodation for a month and a half at least.
“The SNP-Green government – who are presiding over a housing emergency in many parts of Scotland – cannot pat themselves on the back for better figures in Moray.
“They must ensure our local council and relevant organisations have the resources they need to meet the demand for housing in rural and remote parts of Moray, and ensure that people will not have to rely on temporary accommodation for weeks on end.”