Housing Scotland's people is being left behind as a top political priority despite claims that it is the single biggest issue raised locally to politicians by their constituents.

Politicians at a national level must prioritise housing if they are to address the 'disconnection between housing as a bread and butter issue and the political priorities that this country sets', according to leading housing and homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland.

Hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland face problems accessing housing, either because they are on waiting lists, have become homeless, or cannot afford a mortgage.

Politicians locally face dealing with these problems when people come to their surgeries - and yet housing as an issue fails to become a top political priority when talks over funding come around, leaving people in housing crisis with no escape time and time again.

Director of Shelter Scotland, Archie Stoddart, will deliver this message to a major housing conference [1] (Tuesday). The solution to housing Scotland's people, he will argue, is to raise housing up the political agenda and fund the building of an increased programme of 30,000 affordable rented homes over the next three years [2], when the next big spending round comes later this year.

Opening his speech, Mr Stoddart, will talk about a woman who came to Shelter Scotland for help. She became homeless after dealing with a litany of problems, including an abusive husband, postnatal depression and mortgage arrears. Along with her three children, she spent nearly two years in temporary accommodation.

'She is in many ways a remarkable woman. But her story sadly is not remarkable. Every councillor, every MSP, the length and breadth of the country, will have people like her in their surgery week after week,' Mr Stoddart will tell the conference.

'Politicians tell me that housing is the single biggest issue they face at a constituency level. Yet when we reach the higher stratosphere of politics where does it rank? Not nearly high enough. There's a disconnection somewhere between housing as a bread and butter issue and the political priorities that this country sets.'

Mr Stoddart will argue that politicians must push housing to the top of the Scottish political agenda if they are to truly meet the needs of Scotland's people. Shelter Scotland - along with other housing organisations - are calling for funding for 30,000 affordable rented homes over the next three years through this year's comprehensive spending review (CSR).

He will say: 'Wouldn't it be good if, looking back, this conference was seen as the starting point for a rebirth in housing investment? We must raise housing problems from a grassroots level to the top of the political sphere if we are to truly help people in housing crisis in Scotland.'

Archie Stoddart will be among a number of expert speakers at the 3rd annual Holyrood Housing Conference in Glasgow, The Future of Housing in Scotland [1].

Notes to Editors

1. The event is organised by Holyrood Events. For more information, please telephone Erin Field on 0131 270 7087, or visit www.holyrood.com
2. Visit www.shelter.org.uk/csr_media for more information about the Shelter Scotland campaign and the case for more investment in housing.
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.
5. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk