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.
The Right to Buy in Scotland: options for reform
The housing policy agenda has moved on significantly since the Right to Buy (RTB) was introduced in 1980. Scotland has seen the most progressive and far reaching homelessness policy in Western Europe, and the social and housing landscape has undergone significant transformation.
Published: 16 December 2005
Final briefing on abolishing priority need in Scotland by 2012
The consultation on the priority need statement is a landmark in reaching the Homelessness Task Force’s vision of giving every homeless person the right to a home by 2012. Shelter’s view is that, as the Task Force recommended, progress should take place at the rate of local authorities’ ability to cope, but always with the clear view that the 2012 target is the agreed end point.
Published: 22 September 2005
Developing a youth homeless mediation scheme in Scotland: a good practice guide
Mediation services to assist young homeless people have been a recent development in Scotland. The first scheme was not established until 2000 with the first major research study on mediation and homelessness not completed until 2001.
Published: 6 July 2005
Briefing for the parliamentary debate on Stage One of the Housing (Scotland) Bill
Shelter welcomes the Communities Committee Stage One report on the Housing (Scotland) Bill. The Committee’s vision for the private rented sector recognises the poor legal protection and redress for thousands of private tenants in Scotland.
Published: 16 June 2005
Alternatives to bed and breakfast: an overview of practice in Scotland
Since the passage of the Homelessness Act, I have been asked time and again how Scotland has managed to take such enormous steps towards resolving, and responding to homelessness in a way that promotes social justice.
Published: 25 May 2005
The Housing (Scotland) Bill: tackling unlawful evictions in Scotland
Despite the existence of laws intended to protect tenants, Shelter continues to be contacted by households who have been unlawfully evicted from their home; made homeless due to the actions of an unscrupulous landlord.
Published: 18 May 2005
Written evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill
Shelter welcomes the proposals for legislation covering the private sector in Scotland. Since devolution the legislative focus has overwhelmingly been on changes to the landscape of social housing, with little attention paid to the private sector.
Published: 21 April 2005
Consultation response on 'Regulations under section 7 of the Housing Scotland Act 2001'
Shelter Scotland response to the Scottish Executive consultation on ‘Regulations under section 7 of the Housing Scotland Act 2001'.
Published: 20 April 2005
A rent deposit protection service for Scotland
Over 173,000 households live in the private rented sector in Scotland. Despite this number, there is no statutory regulation of rental deposits and a significant proportion of private tenants have problems getting their money back at the end of the tenancy.
Published: 16 March 2005
Strengthening the law for mobile home residents
The Housing (Scotland) Bill contains provisions to extend legal protection for people who own their mobile home while renting a stance from the site owner. While these proposals are welcome, Shelter believes that they should be part of a broader strengthening of legal protection for people who live in mobile homes, to include those who rent the home as well as the site.
Published: 16 March 2005