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.
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
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