Thousands of Scots caught in homelessness trap HOMELESSNESS has fallen by 13 per cent, but more than 10,000 families and individuals are still living in temporary ­accommodation in Scotland, new figures show. Homelessness has fallen by 13 per cent 10,269 requests for help with housing from July to September in 2012 compared to 11,604 in previous year A leading charity has warned that the rate of homelessness is still six times higher in Scotland than England, and called for more homes to be built. Between July and September last year, 10,269 individuals or families asked councils for help. That was down on 11,604 in the same months the previous year. But on 30 September last year, 10,546 households were still ­living in temporary accommodation while waiting to be housed. Almost a third of those were families with children or expectant mothers. Patrick Harvie, housing spokesman for the Scottish Greens, said: "It's a scandal that in 2013 we have so many families and individuals being housed in inappropriate places. The housing minister says it's a priority but the finance secretary has cut the budget. The current year's housing budget in Scotland is £389 million - this is due to drop by £121m over the next three years ... Scottish ministers should be increasing their investment in social housing. A 2012 commitment by the Scottish Government made every homelessness case a priority for local authorities. Shelter Scotland said this has been met, but warned that further work was needed. Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "With the homelessness rate up to six times that of England, we cannot afford to be complacent or lose sight of the fact that over 10,000 households still lost their homes in just three months." He added: "The only way forward is for the Scottish Government to build at least 10,000 new social homes a year to bring hope to the 157,000 on housing waiting lists and the 10,500 households in temporary ­accommodation." Crisis, a UK charity for single homeless people, fears the current fall in homelessness applications may be short-lived. Leslie Morphy, Crisis chief executive, said: "The figures prove that with sufficient political will, a real difference can be made in tackling homelessness even during the economic downturn. Sadly, this progress is under threat. Independent research warns that welfare cuts ... alongside a chronic lack of social housing could scupper this progress. We fear homelessness could begin to rise again unless these issues are tackled. Housing and welfare minister Margaret Burgess said: "This government is working hard to ensure priority is given to prevention, ensuring that as few people as possible get to the stage where they face this bleak prospect."