New initiative pledges to be ‘catalyst for change’ to end child homelessness

Building Hope is a joint initiative between Shelter Scotland and Fife Gingerbread and is funded by the Robertson Trust. The organisations are urging the Scottish Government to go beyond pledges, warning of a clear gap between commitments made by politicians across Holyrood and local authorities and the reality for thousands of children waking up without a home.

For example, despite the legal requirement for temporary accommodation to be suitable, children experienced 1,350 breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order in 2024-25, meaning their legal rights were denied.

Shelter Scotland interim director, Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, said Building Hope will ignite the urgent action needed so that every child in Scotland has somewhere safe to call home. A rally in Edinburgh on 26 August will unite professionals, allies and people with lived experience of homelessness to build momentum and show that change is possible.

“These are the devastating symptoms of Scotland’s housing emergency – too many childhoods spent in overcrowded, damp, harmful temporary accommodation with rights routinely breached,” Gordon said. “It cannot be accepted as the new normal.”

He added: “While Edinburgh and Glasgow’s homelessness services remain in systemic failure, there has been progress in Fife and other parts of the country. It proves change is possible, but it must be replicated far wider and faster. We need urgent action to deliver the changes required and stop the daily harm many children experience in temporary accommodation.

“Meaningful change has yet to be felt across Scotland, despite the many pledges made. Building Hope will help to make sure those words now become actions. Children in temporary accommodation have heard too many unfulfilled promises; they deserve real change. We ask our partners, allies and the wider sector to stand with them and their families, building the pressure needed to turn commitments into action – until every child in Scotland has a place to call home.”

Fife Gingerbread CEO, Laura Miller, said: “Behind every number is a child and a family trying to get through each day without the security of a safe, settled home. When families are moved again and again, even the simple things like eating well, doing homework, sleeping properly, seeing friends or spending time together become much harder.

“Building Hope is about listening to families, standing alongside them and proving that change is possible. Every child deserves more than a roof over their head. They deserve a place to belong, grow and feel hopeful about the future.”

Programmes and practice manager at The Robertson Trust, Catriona Kelly, added: “Tackling child homelessness requires sustained action, public support and accountability. No child should spend months or years in temporary accommodation that harms their wellbeing and life chances.

“In Scotland, we’ve shown that change is possible before, and we can do it again. We need to move beyond promises that don’t become reality. We can and must change things for the better. That’s why we are pleased to support Building Hope and its potential to drive systemic change on poverty and trauma in Scotland.”