Policy library
In this library you will find our latest policy reports, briefings, consultation responses, evidence for Scottish Parliament committees etc. This policy work underpins all of our advocacy and influencing activity to bring about change.
Shelter Scotland briefing: Programme for Government 2024-25
A Shelter Scotland briefing paper for MSPs ahead of the First Minister's Programme for Government announcement on 4 September 2024.
Published: 2 September 2024
Open Letter to Aberdeen Councillors on Aberdeen's Housing Emergency
An open letter to Aberdeen City Councillors on behalf of nine organisations in the city, calling on councillors to declare a local housing emergency and commit to the actions needed to tackle the emergency in Aberdeen.
Published: 2 September 2024
Shelter Scotland written submission: Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Pre-Budget Scrutiny Call for Views, 2025-26
A written response from Shelter Scotland to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s call for views as part of their pre-budget scrutiny process in advance of the 2025-26 Scottish Budget.
Published: 22 August 2024
Briefing: The Social Value of Social Housing Year 2 Impact Report
This briefing sets out the findings of the year 2 report into the social value of social housing
Published: 7 July 2024
The Social Value of Social Housing: Year 2 Report
Understanding the social value of social housing is a 3-year primary data research project that commenced in Autumn 2021. The research was commissioned by Shelter Scotland and carried out by HACT, with support from a research consortium. This report builds on previous publications for this project and presents findings from the analysis of all of the quantitative data provided by partner organisations up to the start of February 2024. It is intended to provide interim findings based in available data submitted by social housing residents and landlords to date.
Published: 24 June 2024
A National Housing Emergency Action Plan for Scotland
In response to the Scottish Government's declaration of a Housing Emergency in Scotland, an unprecedented coalition from across the private, social and third sectors has developed a Housing Emergency Action Plan, detailing steps for how the Scottish Government should urgently tackle the emergency.
Published: 19 June 2024
Shelter Scotland briefing: Scottish Government Priorities Debates - 11 and 13 June 2024
Briefing paper for MSPs ahead of Scottish Parliament debate on Scottish Government priorities in June 2024
Published: 10 June 2024
UK General Election 2024: Shelter Scotland's Calls for Urgent Action
Key policy asks for the next UK government ahead of the 2024 General Election. We are calling on candidates from all parties to accept there is a housing emergency in Scotland and commit to doing what they can to help tackle it. We are demanding the next government: • Bring an end to the austerity fuelling the housing emergency by reforming the local housing allowance (LHA) and ensuring it keeps pace with inflation so that it more accurately reflects the real cost of renting, scrap the benefit cap and bedroom tax, and put an end to the two-child limit and so-called ‘rape clause’. • Scrap the ‘hostile environment’, provide adequate funding for councils to meet the housing needs of refugees and people seeking asylum, and embed a truly anti-racist approach to migration throughout government – especially in the Home Office. • Increase the capital grant available to the Scottish Government and make sure it keeps pace with inflation to help protect housing budgets from further cuts.
Published: 30 May 2024
Shelter Scotland written submission: Housing Bill Stage 1, LGHP Committee Call for Views
Shelter Scotland briefing paper submitted to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee in response to their call for views on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
Published: 16 May 2024
Open Letter to MSPs – Declare a National Housing Emergency
An open letter to MSPs from key stakeholders, urging them to declare a national housing emergency and to commit to the urgent action needed to tackle it.
Published: 13 May 2024