Radical change' urged as 5000 wait for homes in West Dunbartonshire amid crisis

West Dunbartonshire’s emergency housing crisis is worsening, with council figures pointing to a waiting list of 5,000 people for homes, prompting councillor Jim Bollan to call for “radical change.” Bollan said at a meeting of the Clydebank Trades Council that a gradual approach won’t be enough and urged a major shift not only in Scotland but across the UK. West Dunbartonshire Council declared a housing emergency in May 2024 and has an action plan covering delivery and maintenance, better use of existing housing, homelessness prevention and financial sustainability. Council leader Martin Rooney said the crisis stems from longstanding national and systemic issues, citing limited supply and pressures such as contractor inflation, higher interest rates and reduced affordable housing funding. Progress includes a 19% fall in children in temporary accommodation, but officials said the change has been incremental, not “transformational,” with claims of long waits for permanent placements from homeless units.