The highest cause of homelessness in Scotland despite the Homeless Persons Order coming into force in December 2004, is "Not to do with applicant household" (e.g. landlord selling property, fire, harassment) with percentage not lower than 43% from 2007 to 2016.
Not to do with applicant household (e.g. landlord selling property, fire,
circumstances of other persons sharing previous property, harassment by others, etc) 49% 47% 48% 52% 51% 50% 47% 43% 44% Mental health reasons Lack of support from friends/ family Financial difficulties/ debt/ unemployment Drug/ alcohol dependency Criminal/ anti-social behaviour Difficulties managing on own Physical health reasons Unmet need for support from housing/ social work/ health services 10% 19% 21% 13% 8% 6% 5% 4% 9% 21% 22% 12% 9% 5% 5% 4% 8% 22% 21% 11% 9% 5% 4% 3% 8% 19% 20% 11% 9% 6% 4% 3% 9% 18% 20% 12% 11% 6% 4% 2% 10% 15% 23% 13% 12% 6% 4% 2% 13% 15% 20% 14% 14% 7% 5% 3% 17% 18% 17% 16% 13% 8% 8% 4% 29% 18% 16% 15% 13% 9% 8% 4% In addition, the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order came into force in December 2004 and requires councils to ensure that pregnant women and households with children are not placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation, unless there are exceptional circumstances. 
