SCOTLAND is in the grip of a housing emergency, according to a council chiefs’ report.
The Housing in Scotland report, published by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace), describes what it terms the “unsustainable pressure” creating an “emergency” in Scottish council housing, citing a “critical lack of capacity.”
The paper reveals that almost a quarter of a million people languish on housing waiting lists, and that councils are increasingly in breach of their statutory duties towards homeless — numbered at the 28,944 last September.
Solace conclude that 125,000 additional homes for social rent are needed simply to satisfy existing demand, but supply has fallen by a staggering 20 per cent in the last three years, and only 18,583 new homes became available in the last year.
Solace Scotland chair Cleland Sneddon said: “Our conclusion is that it is clear that a fundamental review of homelessness services and social housing provision in Scotland is required.
“A minimum 10-year plan is needed for whole-system transformation.”
Wyndford Residents’ Union’s Sean O’Neill told the Star: “The social housing shortage and homelessness crisis is a national emergency.
“Scots stuck on waiting lists and the streets deserve fundamental human rights.
“They could be housed now in communities like ours, where hundreds of empty homes are currently slated for demolition.
“We need government investment in existing stock and the building of mass council housing for the people.”
Living Rent secretary Aditi Jehangir told the Star: “Unaffordable private rents and a social sector unable to keep up with demand has led to a ‘perfect storm’ of a housing crisis for tenants.
“For 243,603 people, over five and a half times the capacity of Hampden Park, to be stuck in limbo on social housing waiting lists is appalling when only in December, the Scottish government slashed the social housing budget by 16 per cent.
“We all deserve the security and safety that comes with having a stable, affordable home.
“Quality, affordable housing should be a right not a luxury and the Scottish government has it within its powers to build more social homes and help end homelessness.
“But with cuts to social housing funding the government is turning the crisis into a disaster.”
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “We welcome the contribution of the Housing in Scotland report, which will now be considered fully by the Scottish government, Cosla, Solace and Alacho through the established short-life housing review group.”
Source: Morning Star Online
