In a controversial move, the City of Edinburgh Council has prioritised housing for approved asylum seekers over local residents, amidst a growing homelessness crisis. This policy, introduced in April 2025, allows homeless asylum seekers to leapfrog local applicants, a decision that has raised significant concerns among residents facing long waits for housing.
Currently, over 31,000 locals are on the waiting list, while the city’s temporary accommodation struggles to cope with an influx of asylum seekers, who now represent more than 16% of placements. Critics argue that this policy exacerbates the existing crisis, leaving many long-term residents in precarious situations as they await housing.
The situation has deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with homelessness in Edinburgh rising by 75%. The Scottish Conservatives have lambasted the SNP’s handling of the housing system, claiming it has become overwhelmed and prioritising asylum seekers at the expense of local needs.
As the council prepares to revert to previous allocation systems in October, the long-term implications of this shift remain uncertain. The internal assessments highlight that changes in asylum policies are a key factor driving the homelessness crisis, suggesting a need for a more balanced approach to housing allocation in the city.
Source: GB News
