Edinburgh Council faces an ‘impossible task’ on homelessness without more government support, a major housing charity has warned.

Councillors are set to vote next week on whether to suspend the allocations of council houses in almost all cases until March 2027.

A suspension has been in place since April, which has seen virtually all available council houses directed towards people and households presenting as homeless.

Shelter Scotland said the proposal ‘reflects the scale of the crisis’ that has been brought on by underinvestment in housing.

And two Edinburgh MPs have said the council faces a wide range of pressures in handling the crisis.

Even with the extension, a council report estimated 517 households per night will still be in unsuitable accommodation in March 2027.

Shelter

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