HOMELESSNESS applications in Scotland have risen by 3% in the past year, according to new figures.

Official statistics show 36,465 homelessness applications in 2018-19, up 892 on the previous year.

The increase marks the second consecutive year applications have risen following a period of consistent decline from 2005-06.

The number of households in temporary accommodation has also risen – including for families with children and expectant mothers – and rough sleeping has increased.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said it is “unacceptable for anyone to find themselves without a home” and the Scottish Government is taking action to “end homelessness altogether”.

Homeless applicants who reported sleeping rough at least once during the three months before their application rose 8% in 2018-19 to 2876, up 201 from the previous year.

The number of children in temporary accommodation was 6795 as of March 31 2019, up 180 (3%) on the same date the previous year.

Overall, there were 10,898 households in temporary accommodation at the end of March this year, up by 56 (1%) on 2018.

Of these households, 3315 included children or a pregnant women, up 65 (2%) on the previous year.

In the past financial year, there were 620 breaches of legislation that now ban pregnant women and children from being place in unsuitable accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, for longer than a week, up 225 on the previous year.

Three-quarters of these, 465, took place in Edinburgh but 10 local authorities breached the regulation.

In the same period, a total of 3535 people applying were not offered temporary accommodation by a local authority – a 10% increase – which the report said means they are “acting unlawfully” as it is a statutory duty.

The vast majority of these cases – 95% – were in Glasgow.

Stewart said £23.5 million has been invested to move towards Rapid Rehousing and Housing First schemes, which aim to support homeless people and rough sleepers.