New Government Must Drive Delivery Of Scotland’s Housing Future

Housing must be placed at Scotland’s political and financial heart over the coming four years and beyond if we are to ensure everyone has a home. That will be the message – at a major housing conference – from housing and homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland.

Director Archie Stoddart, leads the debate at the upcoming Housing Scotland: Setting the Agenda 2007-2011 conference. The event – which takes place next week – will examine the housing policy priorities brought about after the major change in political influence in Scotland following the recent national and local elections.

Stewart Maxwell, the new Minister for Communities and Sport, has been invited to the event following the announcement of his post. High profile speakers from the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Homes for Scotland, the Scottish Association of Landlords, and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, will lay down their priorities for the next term of Government.

Archie Stoddart, director of Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, said: “The first two terms of the Scottish Parliament have seen the biggest legal reform in housing and property for decades. But law is only as effective as the policies and strategies that support it. Over the next four years there is a heavy expectation of delivery across private, public and voluntary sectors.

“This conference is the first since the elections, which brought about a major change in political influence, to examine the priorities under this new government in Scotland. We must work together to ensure we give everyone a home.”

He added: “We welcome the announcement of Stewart Maxwell into his new post. He has a challenging and detailed brief and we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the priorities for meeting Scotland’s housing needs.”

News of the conference comes just days after Shelter Scotland announced survey results which showed eight out of ten Scots think action must be taken to address a shortage of affordable rented housing in Scotland.