Five further organisations have joined a rapidly growing coalition made up of organisations from all corners of Scottish society that is demanding the new Government place housing at the heart of its political agenda.

And the 24-strong coalition, led by housing and homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland, will take their case for more homes to Scottish politicians tomorrow (Wednesday).

The British Medical Association and the Child Poverty Action Group along with the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Poverty Alliance and the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association have joined with other business groups, church groups, trade unions, environmental groups, and the health and housing sectors.

Representatives from the coalition will present their case to MSPs when they host a reception in the Scottish Parliament to explain how housing is central to people's lives, impacting on health, education, the environment and the economy.

Scotland's housing crisis cannot be ignored [2], with over 200,000 people on house waiting lists in 2006, over 8,000 homeless households in temporary accommodation in March 2006 - and first time buyers finding it nearly 65 per cent harder [3] to get onto the property ladder in Scotland than 10 years ago.

The organisations are: Shelter Scotland; Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA); Chartered Institute of Housing; Scottish Churches Housing Action; UNISON; GMB; Royal College of Nursing; Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA); Scottish Centre for Public Policy; Citizens Advice Scotland; WWF; Church of Scotland; Friends of the Earth; Scottish Chambers of Commerce; Homes for Scotland; Money Advice Scotland, The Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland (RTPI), CBI Scotland, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Child Poverty Action Group, British Medical Association, Council of Mortgage Lenders, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association and the Poverty Alliance.

Archie Stoddart, Director, Shelter Scotland, said: 'We have come together with these 23 other organisations to reinforce to politicians and the public that housing is central to everyone's lives. The new government cannot afford to ignore the problem that is Scotland's housing crisis. 2007 presents our best opportunity to increase investment in housing and build 30,000 affordable homes for rent over the next three years. Housing is central to the lives of all Scots. [2]'

Here follows a selection of quotes from organisations signed up to the statement and the statement itself:

John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: 'The quarter of a million children still facing poverty in Scotland too often grow up in poor quality, cold, damp and overcrowded housing. Successfully tackling child poverty must mean all families have a decent affordable home in which to raise their children.'

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: 'Environmental and social factors affect the public's health and the BMA believes that one of the most significant moves that we could take to reduce health inequalities in Scotland is to integrate health impact assessments into all aspects of government policy to create a culture of joined up government.

'The link between poor housing and ill health was first established almost two centuries ago, yet today in Scotland, one in six families with children live in damp homes. Improving living standards will make an immense difference to people's health and the physical and psychological health problems associated with poor housing would lessen. We need to bridge the gap between housing and health policy, and we are therefore pleased that this is a feature of the new Health & Wellbeing Department of the Scottish Executive.'

David Eaglesham, General Secretary, Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association, said: 'The SSTA firmly believes that good quality affordable housing is an absolute essential to the well being and educational development of young people in Scotland. If good housing is universally available, the life chances of our young people will be greatly enhanced.'

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: 'Ensuring good quality and affordable housing should be at the heart of creating a more socially just Scotland. Without providing good housing for all, the new Government's efforts to tackle poverty by getting more people into work or reducing health inequalities will be undermined. The Poverty Alliance supports Shelter's housing statement and hopes that all MSPs will work together to deliver the changes needed to provide decent housing for all.'

The statement reads: 'We believe a good home is the foundation for the well being of Scotland's people in so many areas - health, education, a sustainable environment, community cohesion and a thriving economy.

• People living in good housing enjoy better health. 1 in 6 families with children face the problem of living in damp homes.
• Good housing greatly increases the chances of a successful education, but overcrowding or time spent in temporary accommodation will reduce educational chances for many children.
• Good housing also benefits the environment. Energy efficient homes will cut fuel poverty and help build a sustainable Scotland.
• Scotland's skilled workforce and Fresh Talent need access to affordable housing. An economically mobile workforce means we must have the right houses in the right areas.

It concludes: 'We believe much has been done but there is still a long way to go. We call on all political parties to put accessible, affordable and sustainable housing at the heart of their political agenda.'

Notes to Editors

1. Contact details are available for those people quoted in the press release above are:
   - For Archie Stoddart, Shelter Scotland, contact Christina Cran on 0844 515 2442.
   - John Dickie, Child Poverty Action Group, 0141 552 3303.
    - For Dr Peter Terry, BMA, contact, Gail Grant, Senior Public Affairs Officer (Scotland), 0131 247 3050.
   - David Eaglesham, SSTA, 0131 313 7313.
   - Peter Kelly, Poverty Alliance, 0141 353 0440
2. Shelter Scotland - along with other housing organisations - is calling for 30,000 affordable rented homes for Scotland through this year's comprehensive spending review. For more information on this, visit the media room at www.shelter.org.uk/csr_media