Decrease in homeless applications

The number of people coming forward as homeless in Scotland has fallen, according to latest figures.

Homelessness applications in 2006-07 stood at 59,056, compared to 60,436 for the previous year.

The government figures also showed a 10% increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation, which rose to 9,164.

The number of households with children or pregnant women in temporary accommodation rose by 13% to 3,235.

Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said progress was being made, but more still needed to be done.

Officials said the statistics indicated that the number of applications, which had been increasing since 2001, may be levelling out.