Survey of Public Attitudes Towards Homelessness in Scotland

That the Parliament notes the publication of the Centre for Homelessness Impact’s annual survey of public attitudes towards homelessness; understands that the 2021 poll indicates that public attitudes towards homelessness and people experiencing homelessness are more sympathetic in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK; notes with concern, however, that the survey indicates that public sympathy declined between 2020 and 2021; recognises that, according to the survey, 74% of people surveyed in Scotland agree that "as a society we do not pay enough attention to homelessness" and also support the implementation of a similar policy to "Everyone In" during winter periods; commends the Centre for Homelessness Impact for commissioning what it sees as this important barometer of public attitudes towards homelessness; understands that the purpose of the survey is to track changes in public perceptions of homelessness, and commits to building public support for the introduction of policies that will have a real and lasting effect of reducing homelessness in Scotland until any such instances are rare, brief and non-recurring.