ALMOST 1,000 households were assessed as homeless in the last year locally, latest figures have shown.

In Renfrewshire, nearly 700 households were declared as homeless in 2017/18, with 200 in temporary accommodation, according to a study by Shelter Scotland.

Meanwhile in East Renfrewshire, more than 270 households were assessed as homeless, with 55 in temporary accommodation.

The study said the average time spent in temporary accommodation was 125 and 127 days in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire respectively.

It found across Scotland, people lost their home every 18 minutes last year, with data indicating 43,000 people, including children, became homeless.

Alison Watson, deputy director of Shelter Scotland, said: “It’s unforgivable almost 320,000 people in Britain have been swept up by the housing crisis and now have no place to call home. Around 43,000 people were made homeless in Scotland last year.

“Due to a perfect storm of spiralling rents, very harsh welfare cuts and a major lack of social housing, record numbers of people are sleeping out on the streets, stuck in poor quality accommodation, or in a cramped hostel room.

“This year we mark our 50th anniversary, but we aren’t celebrating as our help is needed more than ever.”

In its annual landmark review on homelessness, Shelter combined official rough-sleeping, temporary accommodation, social services figures and Scottish Government homelessness statistics.

The charity said there was not a local authority area breakdown for the number of unique individuals assessed as homeless last year.

Alison added: “Last year Shelter Scotland’s advice services helped more than 21,000 people our highest ever. 

“That’s why we’re asking the public to support us this winter, so that we can answer as many calls as possible and have trained advisers on hand when people need them most.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are determined to bring an end to homelessness and rough sleeping in Scotland.”