Internationally acclaimed homelessness reforms CAN be delivered to ensure Scotland leads the way on homelessness. However, with the acute shortage of social rented housing the challenge is greater than ever.

This is the claim from Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the ground breaking 1977 homelessness legislation.

The housing charity is using the anniversary to point out the huge progress on housing and homelessness since 1978 but also to highlight the challenges that lie ahead in meeting the needs of people in Scotland who are homeless.

The 1977 homelessness legislation, which came into force in Scotland on April 1, 1978, gave some homeless people the right to a home and was built on in The Homelessness (Scotland) Act in 2003, when it was legislated that everyone would have the right to a home by 2012.

The charity, which has been campaigning for more affordable homes for rent across Scotland, is calling on the Scottish Government to continue its commitment in meeting the 2012 target to help house the thousands of people desperate for a home to call their own.

James Jopling, Head of campaigns at Shelter Scotland, said: 'In the 1970's Scotland was lagging behind in providing for people who are homeless but 30 years on we have the most progressive homelessness legislation in the developed world. The Scottish Government and local authorities should be focussed on this target which will reinforce Scotland's position as a world leader in ensuring a healthy and stable future for its citizens.

He added: 'We know that the budget didn't deliver nearly enough money to fund all the new affordable housing we had hoped for, and its clear that the decline in numbers of social rented houses provides us with a real challenge. But that doesn't mean that our chance to meet the 2012 target is over. With a mix of preventing homelessness, ensuring the planning system really delivers and making sure that local authorities and housing associations stick to their end of the bargain, we can make Scotland a place where homelessness is a problem we can solve. But we only have four years to do it.'

Notes to editors

1. A full media briefing on the 1977 Homelessness Legislation and more information on the 2012 target can be obtained from the Shelter Scotland media office on 0844 515 2442.
2. 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.
3. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
4. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk