Shelter Scotland has backed Scottish Government calls to the Chancellor to boost housing investment in Scotland.

In a new paper published today, the charity argues that a massive injection of additional funding is needed in the April Budget to build extra homes and sustain jobs through the recession.

In the paper: 'Building Homes and Protecting Jobs' Shelter argues that £600 million extra for housing would build 6,000 homes, get dormant construction sites working again and sustain over 10,000 jobs.

The publication of the paper coincides with the Deputy First Minister writing to the UK Chancellor ahead of the Budget on 22 April to ask for radical steps on new housing investment.

Director of Shelter Scotland, Graeme Brown said:

'These are extraordinary times. And in extraordinary times our leaders must adopt ambitious ideas. The measures outlined in the paper I have published today would help to address the massive backlog of unmet housing need and help get the private housing market moving again.

'The Scottish and UK Governments must work together to seize this unique opportunity to deliver a programme for homes and jobs.'

Notes to editors

1. 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.
2. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
3. For more information about Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk