Temporary accommodation is somewhere to stay while homelessness duties are being carried out and, for some households, while permanent housing is still being found.

It is not necessarily a short final step before a permanent tenancy. Scotland's homelessness statistics show that households can spend substantial periods in temporary accommodation, reflecting pressure on housing supply and homelessness services.

While you are in temporary accommodation, the council may still be assessing parts of your case, considering your housing needs and looking at longer-term accommodation options. If you are accepted as unintentionally homeless, temporary accommodation can continue while you wait for permanent housing.

This is why a homelessness decision and a permanent housing offer are separate stages.

Read next:

• Why being accepted as homeless does not mean immediate permanent housing

• What happens after you make a homeless application?

• Why homelessness services can feel confusing in Scotland

This independent SEET explainer is intended to clarify the process. For advice about suitability, rights or a particular placement, consult official guidance or a specialist housing adviser.

Download the practical communication and follow-up guide.