Black and minority ethnic groups 2.5 times more likely to experience homelessness in Scotland

Black people and people of colour (BPoC) are 2.5 times more likely to be at risk of homelessness compared to white households, according to new research by Shelter Scotland and the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER).

This statistic comes from Scotland’s 2022 census data and the government’s homelessness figures for 2024/25, which takes into account the rate of homelessness by share of population for white and non-white groups per 1000 of the population. 

For white groups, 5.2 in every 1,000 people are assessed as homeless, while for BPoC this is 13.2.

But while BPoC are proportionally more likely to experience homelessness, they are less likely to be given temporary accommodation compared to people from white ethnic groups.

In 2024-2025, BPoC made up just 15% of homelessness assistance applications. However, they made up 36% of those who were not offered temporary accommodation.

The ‘Racial Inequality in Scotland: State of the Nation’ report states that the disparities were greatest for African ethnic groups and those in the ‘Other Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups’ category, who were 2.4 and 3.2 times as likely not to be offered temporary accommodation compared to their share of homelessness assistance applications, respectively.

All black and minority ethnic groups were over-represented in these statistics, while people from white Scottish/British and white minority ethnic backgrounds were under-represented.

White Scottish/British households comprised 71.3% of applications for homelessness assistance, but made up just 41.2% of households not offered temporary accommodation.

Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland director, said: “This report shows just how deep-rooted systemic racism is in Scotland’s housing system which continues to disproportionately impact marginalised families across the country.

“This isn’t a new phenomenon; racial inequality is deeply entrenched in multiple aspects of life in Scotland. It’s a perfect storm – many are priced out of home ownership, stuck with soaring rents, living in overcrowded conditions, and 2.5 times more likely experience homelessness as White households.

“We must be clear - this has not been created by immigration but by failing to engage with systemic racism within the housing system. Rolling back rights won’t solve homelessness- it will just put more people on the streets.”

She called on the government to eradicate systemic racism in the housing system by requiring social landlords to implement an anti-racism policy, which should be evaluated by the Scottish Housing Regulator, as well as committing to the delivery of at least 15,693 social homes each year over the next Parliament.

Lucien Staddon Foster, research and policy officer at CRER, said: “This report demonstrates that the failure to consider the needs and experiences of BME groups is not due to a lack of evidence, but a lack of action.

“We know the problems and their causes; we need Scottish Government, local authorities, and other duty bearers to take the strong and sustained action required to tackle racial inequality. Although the housing emergency affects everyone, its disproportionate impact on Black and minority ethnic communities means they have no time to wait.”