SCOTLAND’S capital has declared a housing emergency as it grapples with rocketing rents and a homelessness crisis.

As the city manages more than 5,000 households in temporary accomodation and the highest rental inflation in the UK at 13.7 per cent, Edinburgh City Council has become the first city in Scotland to formally declare a housing emergency.

Housing charity Shelter Scotland, which is campaigning for all of Scotland’s councils and the SNP-Green Scottish government to follow suit while coming up with a comprehensive plan to end homelessness, welcomed the move.

On hearing of the 51-9 vote on favour of the motion, Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson – who last month accused Scottish ministers of having “their head in the sand” over the issue – said of the council: “They are giving themselves permission to focus on an emergency response.

“They are demonstrating they are determined to address the housing emergency, which is devastating lives right across this city.

“This is Edinburgh City Council saying enough is enough.”

The motion, which not only declares an emergency but instructs officers to write to the First Minister Humza Yousaf to demand action, was also welcomed by Jim McCormick, chair of the city’s Poverty Commission.

He said: “In recognising the housing emergency in Edinburgh, additional urgent action needs to follow – over and above the steps that have been taken in the last three years.

“These steps have been firmly in the right direction, but coming on the back of long-term under-investment in truly affordable housing, they are clearly not adequate.”

Edinburgh Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda told the Star: “We have the highest rent inflation in Scotland and the highest property prices.

“Vital council funds are being used to rent more and more private temporary accommodation, much of which is unsuitable and unacceptable.

“This money should be used to build permanent homes but we are stuck due to the lack of central government funding and greater revenue raising powers.

“The hope in declaring an emergency is that we draw a line and make clear that this is unsustainable.

“So-called affordable and mid-market rents are not accessible to the thousands sitting in temporary accommodation or living in overcrowded conditions and we need to be more robust in challenging that.”

Housing minister Paul McLennan of the SNP responded: “Tackling homelessness is a key priority for the Scottish government and our Ending Homelessness Together action plan, developed with expert input, is the right strategy to end homelessness in Scotland.”