​Shelter Scotland launches its Christmas appeal with some sobering statistics

A charity has warned that more than 4000 Scottish children will wake up homeless on Christmas Day.

Shelter Scotland said this is equivalent to more than two homeless children for every primary school – and enough to fill the Scottish Parliament 32 times over.

It has launched its Christmas appeal by highlighting the plight of families left destitute.

Last year, the charity said it helped more than 1000 people who were at risk of losing their homes over the festive period.

It wants the Scottish Government to build 10,000 new homes each year to help tackle the problem.

It’s completely unacceptable that, in the 21st century, 4,223 children in Scotland will spend this Christmas homeless

Shelter says the need is there – pointing to the 150,500 families currently on council waiting lists.

The charity said its investigations have revealed the “severe emotional distress” insecure housing causes children, with families reporting bed wetting panic attacks and inability to attend school.

Graeme Brown, Shelter Scotland director, said: “No child should be homeless at Christmas but each December Shelter Scotland’s helpline advisers have to help hundreds of families at risk of losing their home.

“”We need support in the coming months so our teams can help prevent more people from becoming homeless or, if the worst happens, support them in getting a decent roof over their heads.

“It’s completely unacceptable that, in the 21st century, 4,223 children in Scotland will spend this Christmas homeless.

“The temporary accommodation they are forced to live in is often poor quality housing where they can spend months or even years waiting for a home of their own.”