Briefing for Stage 1 debate of the Housing (Scotland) Bill

Shelter Scotland supports the Housing (Scotland) Bill and its aim of improving the value of social housing and safeguarding its supply. But we also think the Bill should be strengthened to improve the way homeless households are supported to maintain their tenancies.

In 2003, the Scottish Parliament made a commitment that anyone who is unintentionally homeless will have the right to a permanent home by 2012. With less than three years to go this Bill offers the last major legislative opportunity to ensure that we deliver that internationally acclaimed commitment.

Shelter Scotland believes that giving the groundbreaking right to keys to a home by 2012 should be accompanied by access to the necessary support to keep that home. Shelter Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to amend this Bill to ensure that people who are assessed as homeless have their housing support needs assessed and receive the support they require.