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 impact of the Right to Buy in Scotland
The Right to Buy (RTB) was initially established in 1980 to give public sector tenants the opportunity to purchase their houses at discounted rates.
Published: 31 January 2006
Scotland's Children's Commissioner - Policy Priority Consultation 2005
We would like to propose that improving family support be a priority for the children’s commissioner in the coming two years.
Published: 30 January 2006
Maximising the use and effectiveness of Section 5 referrals
Section 5 referrals are the formal means by which local authorities (LAs) can ensure that homeless people are housed by registered social landlords (RSLs). Shelter has prepared a practice briefing to bring together examples of current ways of working in this new and emerging area of policy.
Published: 31 December 2005
Helping homeless people: homelessness statement 21 December 2005
This briefing contains some initial observations from Shelter on the homelessness statement issued by the Scottish Executive in December 2005.
Published: 31 December 2005
Fair allocations and choice based lettings
In February 2000, Shelter published a discussion paper 'New Approaches to Housing Allocations'. The paper considered the extent to which allocation of social housing should reflect the choices and preferences of prospective tenants, and to what extent judgements about housing need should determine allocation.
Published: 30 December 2005
More priority needed: youth homelessness and legislative change
This research looks at the practical impact of recent legislative change in England and Scotland on housing and support services for young homeless people.
Published: 29 December 2005
Criteria for assessing future stock transfer proposals
The question of who should own and manage the houses should be judged by the quality of the service that tenants and wider society receive.
Published: 21 December 2005
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