New research conducted by The Salvation Army estimates that around 8,000 working individuals in Scotland may experience homelessness this Christmas. By analyzing the latest government statistics across the four UK nations, the charity identified that 56,242 workers in the UK were registered as homeless between April 2023 and March 2024. Among them, 32,138 were employed full-time, while 24,104 worked part-time.
While the Scottish Government does not monitor employment status among the homeless, The Salvation Army’s analysis suggests that Scotland’s figure could surpass 8,000. Alarmingly, nearly one-quarter of all individuals registered as homeless in the UK during this period were employed, highlighting a distressing reality.
Challenging Assumptions About Scottish Employment and Homelessness
Helen Murdoch, assistant director of homelessness services in Scotland for The Salvation Army, remarked, “The person delivering your Christmas shopping, making your gingerbread latte, cleaning up after your office party, or providing care and support may not have a proper home. It is wrong that hard-working people can’t afford a place to live.”
She added, “Our findings challenge the assumption that anyone who is homeless simply needs to get a job. Private sector rents have surged nearly 16 percent since 2020, and rising mortgage rates, alongside the high cost of living, mean that a wage does not guarantee a home.”
Urgent Action Needed for Low-Income Housing Support
Murdoch emphasized the role of the Scottish Government in homelessness prevention, noting that many social security payments remain under UK control. She highlighted the UK Government’s freeze on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) as a significant setback for low-income individuals in Scotland, already struggling to maintain stable housing.
“The Salvation Army has assisted working individuals of all ages who have found themselves sleeping rough or sofa-surfing while trying to keep their jobs. We will continue to support the most vulnerable, including those who have no place to call home this Christmas,” she stated.
Call for Government Action on Affordable Housing and LHA Reform
The Salvation Army, offering services such as homelessness support, food banks, and debt advice, is urging both the UK and Scottish Governments to help low-wage earners access affordable housing. They call on the UK Government to unfreeze the LHA to match inflation.
The LHA is designed to ensure housing benefits cover the lowest third of privately rented properties in an area. However, as rents rise while the LHA remains frozen, even the most affordable options become unattainable, driving more individuals into homelessness.
Latest Statistics on Homelessness Among Workers
- Total Homeless Workers in the UK (April 2023–March 2024): 56,242
- Full-Time Employment: 32,138
- Part-Time Employment: 24,104
- Estimated Homeless Workers in Scotland: 8,000
- Percentage of Employed Individuals Among the Homeless in the UK: Nearly 25%
- Increase in Private Sector Rents Since 2020: 16%
Additionally, The Salvation Army is urging the Scottish Government to create a data collection system like London’s CHAIN (Combined Homelessness and Information Network) to track rough sleeping in areas with high homelessness rates.
Gordon’s Story: A Struggle for Dignity Amid Homelessness
Gordon, a former bar staff employee, shared his experience of living in a tent for five months while working. He relied on The Salvation Army for essentials such as showers, food, and clothing.
“There is a big misconception that people who are sleeping rough are unemployed, but that isn’t always true,” he explained. “I was working, earning a living, but I couldn’t save enough to secure a place. Living in a tent made me feel worthless. I kept myself hidden. I’d wake up for work, do my shift, and leave everything in my tent. I’ve worked all my life, and I was still working, yet I had nowhere to go. It was tough to accept.”
Gordon highlighted the challenge of maintaining appearances in a customer-facing role. “I couldn’t let anyone know where I was living, so I would go to The Salvation Army to wash up, and they provided toiletries and towels, along with a hot breakfast to prepare for my workday. No one would have guessed where I had slept.”
He described the financial strain of living in a tent: “Without cooking facilities, eating takeaways every night quickly added up. I worked in hospitality and sometimes managed to get food at work, but on my days off, it was difficult. I would accept rides from colleagues but ask them to drop me off on the main road near my former home, so they wouldn’t know the truth. Once they left, I would walk back to the park and my tent.”
Gordon’s story reflects the harsh reality faced by many working individuals in Scotland, underscoring the urgent need for systemic changes to address homelessness among those striving to make a living.
