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.
Keeping rents reasonable and predictable in the private rented sector
This paper outlines Shelter Scotland's position on how rents could be kept reasonable and predictable in private tenancies with enhanced security of tenure.
Published: 22 October 2014
Shelter Scotland briefing for Housing Supply Debate
We know that there is increasing pressure on housing and that Audit Scotland has estimated that ‘Scotland will need more than half a million new homes over the next 25 years’ and that the supply of housing is not meeting current levels of need. It is within this context that the supply of housing must be made a national priority in order to start to meet current and future need.
Published: 30 September 2014
Welfare Funds (Scotland) Welfare Reform Committee Consultation Response
Shelter Scotland welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Welfare Reform Committee’s consultation questions on the Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill.
Published: 31 August 2014
ICI Committee evidence - Housing Options and the 2012 Commitment
We welcome this opportunity to contribute to the work of the ICI committee to ensure the ongoing delivery of the 2012 Commitment and the right homelessness and housing services. We will be making a full written submission to the forthcoming consultation on the impact of the Housing Options model and the 2012 commitment. This report provides a short introduction to the main issues that we consider will be of interest to the Committee and an initial indication of our position on these areas.
Published: 29 August 2014
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