The Housing Bill is one of the last major opportunities to bolster the commitment to house all homeless people by 2012 by putting some more of the 'jigsaw pieces' in place.

That will be the message from Shelter Scotland as it hosts a major conference in Glasgow today (Wednesday) [1] – and submits its written evidence on the Housing Bill to MSPs [2].

The housing and homelessness charity is calling on MSPs to help make Scotland's internationally acclaimed target on homelessness a reality by enhancing the legislation currently going through Parliament. [3]

Shelter Scotland supports Scottish Government proposals to reform Right to Buy and how housing is regulated - but it is also arguing for new measures to reduce evictions, increase housing options for homeless people and to end repeat homelessness.

In particular, Shelter Scotland wants to see strengthened powers to ensure homeless people can access the support they need to manage and keep a tenancy. Under the charity's proposals, an assessment of what support is appropriate would be made at the time someone registers as homeless. They would then be directed towards relevant advice and support, either before, during or after a move into a new home, depending on their circumstances. [4]

The Shelter Scotland conference 'Sustaining tenancies, preventing evictions and allocating homes: the new Housing Bill?' will hear from representatives from the Scottish Government, the voluntary sector and the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Speaking ahead of today’s conference, Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: 'In 2003 MSPs of all parties legislated to give everyone in Scotland the right to a home by 2012. That commitment has been envied and emulated internationally.

'But we also know that having a house is not always enough for every homeless person. Some people need support, either before or after they move into a new house, to ensure that they can manage it well and keep it. Without that support, some families can end up becoming homeless over and over again. That is why we need to end the 'postcode lottery' that means the availability of these services is dependent upon which local authority area you are in.

'That is why I am asking MSPs, tenants groups and housing professionals to strengthen the way that homeless people get housing support.'

He added: 'If the 2012 commitment is to live up to its promise, then we must act now to pull some of the missing pieces of the jigsaw into place. Our additions to the Housing Bill will help do this. But we must not forget that more affordable rented homes to meet housing need and end homelessness are an absolute must.'

In its written evidence to MSPs [2] Shelter suggests the following priorities for the Bill:

• Enhancing the Scottish Government’s welcome reforms of Right to Buy to make them simpler and more far-reaching.
• Building on current good practice to make sure that council and housing association tenants have the same protection from eviction as home-owners.
• Ensuring that homeless people who need ‘housing support’ are able to get the help they need.    
• Clarification of how the new Scottish Housing Regulator will assess and take action on homelessness services that are not up to standard.
• Strengthening the way that homeless people are referred from councils to housing associations.

Also speaking at the Shelter Scotland conference, which will be chaired by Alan Ferguson, Director of CIH Scotland, will be: William Fleming, Head of Tenant Priorities Team from the Scottish Government; Michael Cameron, Acting Chief Executive, The Scottish Housing Regulator; Councillor Jimmy Black, Housing Convenor, Dundee City Council; Alistair Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Churches Housing Action; and Carol Hamilton, Tenants Services and Homelessness Manager, Stirling Council.

Notes to editors

1. The Shelter Scotland conference takes place on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.
   
2. Shelter Scotland's written evidence to MSPs.
3. For information on the Housing Bill, see Scottish Government's website.
4. To read Shelter Scotland's paper on 'Access to support to prevent homelessness: proposals for the Housing Bill'.
5. Shelter Scotland believes everyone should have a home. The charity helps 170,000 people a year across the UK fight for their rights, get back on their feet, and find and keep a home. We also tackle the root causes of Scotland's housing crisis by campaigning for new laws, policies and solutions.
6. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.