Homelessness has been the focus of renewed attention from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government in recent months.

A visible rise in rough sleeping on the streets of Glasgow and warnings that homelessness applications will rise with more benefit cuts and social security changes coming into effect have led to increased calls for urgent action.

The council held a homelessness summit and set up a taskforce while the Scottish Government has put in place an Action Group to deal with the problems.

Homelessness applications have been falling in general over the last decade but there has been an increase in key statistics in the last year which is causing concern to campaigners.

There are still more than ten thousand households in temporary accommodation across Scotland, which is up 3%.

The number of children in temporary accommodation increased by 16% with more than 800 having nowhere to call a permanent home.

As Challenge Poverty Week Begins the link between poverty and homelessness is being highlighted and is undeniable according to the campaign organisers.

In Glasgow more than 6000 homeless applications are made each year with around 2000 households in temporary accommodation across the city at any one time.

The reasons given by people for becoming homeless are varied but the root of the problem according to campaigners is poverty.

Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance, said the projected increase demands urgent action.

He said: “The link between poverty and homelessness is all too clear. If we really want to prevent homelessness then we need to cut the number of people growing up in poverty.”

Mr Kelly warned the current support alone will not be enough to stop more people falling into poverty and homelessness

He added: “There is a lot that is being done to help and support homeless people right across Glasgow at the moment.

“Without the concerted efforts of the voluntary sector and local authorities many more people would be without a home.

“However, predictions for increasing homelessness over the coming years means we need more action now. The introduction of Universal Credit looks likely to contribute to the problem of homelessness.”

MPs and MSPs have also warned of the risks posed to people struggling to afford a home by Universal Credit, which is due to be rolled out to all benefit claimants in Glasgow next year.

A campaign in the House of Commons has seen dozens of MP from different parties backing a all to halt the latest phase of the roll out.

One problem is some people have experienced a delay in up to 12 weeks before benefit payments, which includes housing benefit, are made, pushing people into rent arrears.

The increasing cost of maintaining a tenancy or keeping up mortgage payments at a time of wage stagnation has also pushed tens of thousands of people into poverty according to housing campaigners.

A shortage of social housing to meet demand is leading to people forced into the private sector and increased rents take up more of their income.

More social housing is called for to prevent people being unable to get the home they need.

Shelter Scotland said providing enough affordable homes so rent in the social sector must be the first step.

Alison Watson, deputy director, Shelter Scotland said: “Poverty and homelessness are closely linked – it doesn’t take too much to tip a struggling household over the edge into a spiral of debt, arrears and homelessness.

“We want to see an end to housing-related poverty. A good start would be a step change in the provision of good quality and truly affordable homes being delivered in communities where they are needed across Scotland.”