Charrity leaders warned Scotland is facing a “national housing emergency” after record numbers of people turned to Shelter Scotland in a bid to keep a roof over their head.

A total of 21,290 people were helped by the organisations housing advice and support services last year – the highest number ever.

Almost half (46%) of those seeking help were aged between 16 and 34, while more than a third (36%) were living in private rented accomodation.

The figures were released in Shelter Scotland’s annual impact report for 2017-18 – with almost half (46%) of those coming for help saying there stuggling with housing costs or facing eviction.

Almost half (46%) of those seeking help were struggling with housing costs or facing eviction (Joe Giddens/PA)

Meanwhile almost a third (32%) of those seeking advice wanted to find a home, with this group including homeless Scots.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Last year we had to help more people than ever before, which is why, in our 50th anniversary year, we’re not celebrating.

“We thought that by now bad housing and homelessness would be largely a thing of the past, but instead, as this report clearly shows, our services are needed more than ever.”

With only 15% of Scots living in private rented accommodation, Mr Brown added the report showed “the disproportionate impact of Scotland’s housing crisis on young people and private renters who are both over-represented in the number of people we helped”.

He stated: “An acute shortage of truly affordable homes, harsh welfare reforms, stagnant wages and the high cost of keeping a roof over their head are the main reasons driving people to ask for help.

“Struggling to afford or pay housing costs is the biggest presenting problem people have when coming to us for help.”

Mr Brown continued: “Scotland’s housing statistics speak for themselves – on average, a household becomes homeless every 18 minutes.

“Rough sleepers are dying on our city streets and the number of homeless children is at a 10-year high. Unknown numbers are sofa surfing with friends and families as they don’t have, or cannot afford, a home of their own.

“Behind those statistics are people, families, individuals – people on low incomes, people with complex needs, people in crisis – some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“These are the people we help day-in, day-out and, until there’s a decent, safe and secure home for everyone, we’ll carry on fighting for everyone in Scotland facing bad housing and homelessness.”