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.
Consultation response: The Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order 2014
This consultation gives us the opportunity to address the second of these objectives and make sure that protections from poor conditions are as strong as they possibly can be for expectant mothers and households with children.
Published: 31 July 2014
Briefing for Stage 3 Debate of the Housing (Scotland) Bill on 25 June 2014
Briefing for Stage 3 debate of the Housing (Scotland) Bill on 25 June 2014
Published: 29 June 2014
Supporting homeless people: Have new legal duties made a difference?
The aim of this report is to make a preliminary assessment of the impact of the new duty after 6 months and the extent to which hopes or fears have materialised.
Published: 31 May 2014
Shelter Scotland submission to the Equal Opportunities Committee follow up inquiry - having and keeping a home
Shelter Scotland welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Equal Opportunity committee’s ‘Having a Home and Keeping a Home’ follow-up inquiry having submitted written and oral evidence1 in 2012. In this report we have drawn on a discussion with young service users who have been supported by our safe and sound project in Dundee.
Published: 30 May 2014
Briefing for Stage 2 (day 2) debate of the Housing (Scotland) Bill
Shelter Scotland does not support the exemption of solicitors from the regulation of letting agents. It is important that letting agent regulation is simple and understandable for private tenants; the standards applicable to all letting agents must be clear and the complaints procedure should be easy to follow. This is why regulation should cover all professionals, including solicitors.
Published: 29 May 2014
Planning to meet the need: delivering affordable housing through the planning system in Scotland
This report is based on research Shelter Scotland carried out into the delivery of affordable housing through the planning system in Scotland. Our aim is to increase understanding of the role the planning system plays in the provision of affordable housing, to highlight current issues and obstacles to delivery, and to highlight good practice.
Published: 21 April 2014
Shelter Scotland briefing for Welfare Reform Debate
Briefing for Welfare Reform Committee Debate: The Impact of Welfare Reform, Thursday 13 March 2014.
Published: 31 March 2014
Monitoring the use of discretionary housing payments in Scotland
This briefing looks at how effectively local authorities have been in managing their DHP fund since budgets were increase, as well as considering each local authority’s DHP policy. Our aim is to support local authorities in making the best use of their DHP budgets to help those affected by welfare cuts.
Published: 31 March 2014
Housing (Scotland) Bill - Evidence Stage 1
Shelter Scotland welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1. Shelter Scotland supports the broad aims of this Bill to: "enhance housing conditions, retain much needed social housing for people of Scotland and safeguard social and private tenants".
Published: 28 February 2014
Shelter Scotland briefing on Housing (Scotland) Bill 2014 Stage 1
Shelter Scotland welcomes the opportunity to brief the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1, in advance of us submitting full written evidence. Shelter Scotland supports the broad aims of this Bill: to “enhance housing conditions, retain much needed social housing for the people of Scotland and safeguard social and private tenants”.
Published: 31 January 2014