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.
Scottish Housing Emergency Action Plan
We are calling on the First Minister to spearhead an urgent Scottish Housing Emergency Action Plan to protect households in Scotland from homelessness. The plan must aim to reduce ‘affordable housing need’ by 2026.
Published: 28 August 2022
Emergency Action Plan: Letter to the First Minister
Letter from Shelter Scotland to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, calling for action to tackle Scotland's housing emergency.
Published: 28 August 2022
MSP Briefing: Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill
Briefing paper for MSPs on the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill, outlining Shelter Scotland's position on Pre-Action Requirements and discretionary grounds for eviction.
Published: 12 May 2022
A New Deal for Tenants: Rented Sector Strategy. Shelter Scotland Submission.
Shelter Scotland's response to the Scottish Government's consultation: A New Deal for Tenants.
Published: 13 April 2022
Shelter Scotland consultation response prevention of homelessness March 2022
Shelter Scotland's response to the prevention of homelessness consultation
Published: 31 March 2022
Shelter Scotland's submission to the Universal Periodic Review March 2022
Shelter Scotland's submission to the Universal Periodic Review on progress to realising the right to adequate housing in Scotland.
Published: 31 March 2022
MSP Briefing: Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-2026
Shelter Scotland briefing paper for MSPs ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government's latest Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-2026.
Published: 23 March 2022
Shelter Scotland prevention duty overview March 2022
Many of the proposals within the government consultation would introduce important and positive changes for people at risk of homelessness. If enacted, and, importantly, if adequately resourced, we believe these policies would help reduce the number of people who have to experience the crisis of homelessness. However, for us the litmus test for any changes to Scotland's homelessness rights must be that they will reduce housing inequality and enhance existing homelessness rights and protections. We have significant concerns about the proposal to remove people’s right to permanent accommodation and replace it with non-secure accommodation options. We strongly oppose this proposal and see it as an unnecessary dilution of Scotland statutory rights. In line with human rights-based obligations, there should be no regression of rights, and to realise the human right to adequate housing there must be security of tenure. We outline an alternative legislative change around discharging duty into supported accommodation which would meet the policy aspirations of choice and control whilst protecting the intention of the Scottish rights-based system and negating the need to regress rights.
Published: 23 March 2022
Analysis of Social Housing Need and Delivery in Scotland's Four Largest Cities
This paper intends to better understand the gap between delivering social housing locally and national plans to meet social housing need, focussing on where that need is most acute; Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. Shelter Scotland believes that greater emphasis on local delivery is required to deliver the Scottish Government’s social housing programme. By publishing this analysis, we aim to begin a debate about the harm that happens when social housing fails to be delivered locally.
Published: 11 March 2022
Open Letter: Not in Our Name
Open letter from Scottish civic society, signed by Shelter Scotland, outlining serious concerns with the UK Government's proposed Nationality and Borders Bill.
Published: 22 February 2022