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.
Early end to unsuitable temporary accommodation
Shelter Scotland welcomes Scottish Government plans to ensure that homeless people and rough sleepers do not return to the streets or can be placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation at any point during or after the coronavirus crisis.
Published: 31 May 2020
Evictions by Social Landlord: Statistics Update 2018/19
This short briefing provides an update of the statistics on evictions by social landlords in Scotland. It predominately uses the recently published Scottish Housing Regulator’s Annual Return of the Charter, as well as data on technical evictions from the Scottish Government
Published: 31 May 2020
Coronavirus: Social Security Asks
The current emergency is causing high levels of uncertainty and fear for people all over Scotland, and for people that rent this uncertainty extend to the security of their home.
Published: 30 April 2020
Public bodies and homelessness prevention: working towards a prevention duty
The Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan sets out the intention of Scottish Government and COSLA to ‘work with public bodies, housing providers and other partners to develop a new duty on local authorities, wider public bodies and delivery partners for the prevention of homelessness’. This research identifies what introducing homeless prevention legislation would be like for a broad range of people that would be impacted, exploring what would need to be done to change culture and practice.
Published: 30 April 2020
First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber): data analysis and recommendations
This briefing outlines the findings from a short piece of data analysis on the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber), including an examination of each of the 266 entries published in the Eviction and Civil Proceedings Decisions database in January and February 2019.
Published: 30 April 2020
Coronavirus emergency legislation briefing
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill published (31st March 2020) sets out how the government will seek to achieve this and prevent evictions in the social and rented sector. While the measures in the Bill are welcome, the Bill, as it stands, does not prevent all evictions from happening. Shelter Scotland believes that the Bill could and should be strengthened to achieve that end, as no-one should be without a home at this time.
Published: 30 April 2020
Coronavirus: Providing suitable temporary accommodation
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Shelter Scotland are calling for councils to have new powers to make use of vacant holiday homes, in order to provide suitable temporary accommodation for those currently experiencing homelessness.
Published: 31 March 2020
Coronavirus: Supporting people with no recourse to public funds or housing
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Shelter Scotland are calling on councils to lift rules that prevent everyone from accessing life-saving support and accommodation - regardless of their immigration status.
Published: 31 March 2020
Coronavirus: Protecting rough sleepers
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Shelter Scotland are calling for assurances that rough sleepers will not be prosecuted or penalised in any way as a result of police powers to enforce lockdown measures.
Published: 31 March 2020
Coronavirus: No evictions
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Shelter Scotland are calling for a ban on all evictions from private and social rented sectors.
Published: 31 March 2020