Shelter Scotland director, Archie Stoddart, responds to the Council of Mortgage Lenders' UK-wide figures on mortgage arrears and possessions, which were released today (Friday).

'These new figures cast a long dark shadow over homeownership, and show ordinary people are staring at financial ruin as they try to keep a roof over their heads.

'Homeowners are being hammered by recent rises in interest rates and some irresponsible lenders handing out mortgages to people who can't afford them. With further rate hikes predicted this year, thousands more homeowners face the misery of repossession and homelessness.'

He added: 'Our online repossession advice pages have been viewed almost 16,000 times over the last six months. Last year, 800 households in Scotland applied as homeless because of mortgage default - a figure which has been rising year on year [2]. Mortgage providers who lend large sums of money to vulnerable people on low incomes need to be more responsible and stop fanning the flames of arrears and repossessions.'

Anyone struggling with the cost of their mortgages or with any other housing problem should go to www.shelter.org.uk/repossession or call our free housing advice line on 0808 800 4444.

Notes to Editors

1. 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
2. In 2005/6, 800 households gave mortgage default as there reason for homelessness. This figure has risen each year for the past three years.
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