Highland homeless cases up 9%

By Jamie McDonald

Highland homeless cases up 9%

Homelessness across the Highlands has risen by around 9% over the past year, according to new figures presented to Highland Council’s Housing Committee.

A total of 1,482 households presented as homeless in 2025/26, up from 1,357 the previous year – an increase of 125 households.

The council says the rise has been driven by people being asked to leave their accommodation, which accounted for 458 cases, alongside relationship breakdowns, rent or mortgage arrears, and domestic abuse.

The local authority counts households, as opposed to individuals.

Domestic abuse was cited in 178 cases. Last year councillors approved a new policy to train housing staff to provide advice and support, with a focus on earlier intervention and stronger links with specialist services.

Source – Highland Council

The rise comes amid a wider national problem, with Scottish Government figures showing more than 33,000 open homelessness cases across Scotland in 2025, and around 18,000 households in temporary accommodation.

Ministers have set out plans to reduce homelessness through increased housing supply and by introducing measures to ensure councils intervene earlier. However, housing charities and local authorities continue to warn that demand is outpacing available social housing, leaving many areas under strain.

Highland Council has been approached for comment.