Demand for advice services in Renfrewshire has surged sharply, with councillors hearing evidence of a growing housing and financial crisis affecting residents across the area.
At a meeting of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, representatives from Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) outlined a significant rise in people seeking help, with cases becoming more complex and increasingly urgent.
CAB reported that housing advice demand has risen by 86 per cent in the past year, while possession actions have increased by 382 per cent and housing tribunal cases by 361 per cent.
Most strikingly, eviction-related cases have increased by more than 900 per cent over the past five years.
Benefit enquiries have also risen by around 50 per cent, while energy advice has increased by more than 32 per cent, reflecting continued pressure on household finances.
Officials said more people are now presenting in crisis, often with multiple issues including rent arrears, energy debt and benefit problems.
Alana Forsyth, chief executive of Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau, said cases are becoming more complex and require more intensive support.
She said people are increasingly struggling with mental health, trauma and entrenched poverty, adding that many clients are reaching out only when they are already at crisis point.
Advice Works also reported a shift in who is seeking help, with more working households, homeowners and retired people now accessing support.
Lynne Kerr, who leads advice services, said more clients are relying on credit cards to cover essentials such as food and bills, leading to rising debt levels.
Councillors were told the average debt per client has risen significantly, with more people requiring formal solutions such as bankruptcy due to a lack of disposable income.
There are also growing concerns around “buy now, pay later” schemes, with services such as Klarna and Clearpay contributing to people falling into cycles of debt.
The meeting heard that delays in benefit appeals, which can now take more than nine months, are also adding to financial pressure.
Councillors praised the work of frontline staff but warned that Renfrewshire is facing what was described as a “rapidly intensifying wave” of financial, housing and wellbeing pressures.
The sub-committee was told services are currently managing demand but may require additional resources in future as pressures continue to grow.