Housing Bill "A Welcome Step Forward", says SCSH

The Scottish Council for Single Homeless today broadly welcomed the proposals contained in the Scottish Executive’s consultation paper on the Housing Bill. SCSH Director Robert Aldridge said:

"With homelessness at record levels in Scotland there is an urgent need for action. The Executive’s proposals to improve the package of help for all homeless people are a step in the right direction. We are particularly pleased that the proposals extend action beyond rough sleepers to the broader range of people who experience homelessness.

If the problem is to be tackled effectively it will need action by every local authority in Scotland . We are extremely pleased that the Executive will make it a statutory duty for every local authority to have a strategy to prevent and alleviate homelessness. In our view these must not be dry worthy documents, but based on concrete plans for action with clear targets.

However, we are concerned at the proposals to extend the right to buy which could undermine the positive proposals to tackle homelessness."

Robert Aldridge continued: "Another concern is the proposal to introduce the idea of probationary tenancies. Consultation by the previous government on this issue resulted in an overwhelming rejection of the concept. SCSH is concerned that their use will become widespread and reduce tenants’ rights."