Housing task force must not lose sight of the need for 30,000 affordable homes for rent

29 August 2007

Shelter Scotland has today (Wednesday) urged that the new Housing Supply Task Force's [1] work must lead to more affordable rented homes for Scotland to help stem the country's housing crisis.

Director of the housing and homelessness charity Archie Stoddart said he was delighted to have been asked to be on the group, which will look at tackling obstacles hampering the provision of more homes. But he urged the Task Force should not be seen as a replacement for increased levels of public spending on housing in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Mr Stoddart said: 'Putting housing supply under the Task Force's microscope is welcome, but it must work to ensure we increase the amount of good quality affordable rented housing in Scotland. It cannot become a way of kicking into the long grass vital decisions on spending. With hundreds of thousands of people on waiting lists or in temporary accommodation the time is now to deliver the housing Scotland needs. We look forward to being part of the Task Force and working towards doing just that.'

To read Shelter Scotland's full submission to the Housing Supply Task Force, visit www.shelter.org.uk/taskforce

Notes to Editors

  1. Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, announced the new Housing Supply Task Force in June to look at land supply and planning issues.
  2. Shelter Scotland, along with other housing organisations, are calling for 30,000 affordable rented homes for Scotland through this year's comprehensive spending review. For more information visit the media room at www.shelter.org.uk/csr_media
  3. Shelter believes everyone should have a home and helps 170,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Britain's housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
  4. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
  5. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk