Campaigners say rent controls would help renters struggling under universal credit regime
RENTERS under threat of eviction due to rent arrears could be helped by tougher rent controls, according to tenants’ union Living Rent, after a new report showed the negative impact of the universal credit roll out on housing affordability.
Evidence points to a “growing class divide” in housing
A “COMPLETE OVERHAUL” of the Scottish Government’s approach to housing is needed, as “damning” findings show rising housing costs for the poorest Scots since devolution has become a key impediment to reducing poverty.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s new Poverty in Scotland 2017 report has revealed reductions in poverty over the past two decades is in danger of “unravelling” due to rising housing costs, stagnant wages and welfare cuts.
Shaz Morton and Andrew Prendergast provide the latest update from a series of Common Weal Skye events on community-led housing in the Highlands & Islands. They describe the key aspects of community-led housing and look at two initiatives that are putting the principles into practise
Andrew Prendergast, freelance housing activist in Skye, and Shaz Morton, Common Weal Skye co-ordinator, outline the acute housing crisis in rural Scotland and how recent events in Skye have shown a community-led housing movement is developing in the Highlands with innovative solutions to do something about it
Contact skye-events@commonlocal.scot and follow @commonwealskye to get involved
COMMON WEAL SKYE is holding a regular series of events titled ‘Talk, Think, Do’. The aim is to give people the opportunity to engage, interact and respond to solution orientated discussion on relevant local matters. The ideas that emerge from the talks will be posted on the CommonSpace Policy Channel, as a much needed input of rural Highland voices into the national policy dimension.
Housing minister looks to private sector for collaboration despite delegate concerns
THE Scottish Government minister for housing has said that the government wants a focus on a range of building projects with the private sector rather than prioritise social housing.
Kevin Stewart MSP made the comments at a housing fringe event at the SNP’s conference in Glasgow, where an emphasis was made on collaboration with all providers in the social or private sector.
A strategy for tackling the housing crisis in Scotland has to take seriously repairing and renewing our existing urban infrastructure, especially town centres, a leading Scottish architect has argued in a new report.
‘Housekeeping Scotland: A Discussion Paper outlining a New Agenda for Housing’ is authored by Malcolm Fraser, award-winning architect and chair and author of the Scottish Government’s 2013 Town Centre Review. It can be read in full here.
Study urges more action on affordability housing as house prices soar
RESEARCH by Price Waterhouse Cooper Scotland (PwC) into housing affordability for the 20-39 year old age group has shown that buyers may have to save for as much as 19 years to buy their first home.
A report into the economic effect of Brexit on Scotland by the accountancy firm described the impact on housing as “sobering”.
Shelter urges housing help as 100,000 children across the UK face homelessness over festive period
SHELTER SCOTLAND has warned that 5,000 children in Scotland will spend Christmas homeless due to a shortage of affordable housing.
There are 626 more Scottish children homeless this Christmas than last - a rise of 15 per cent in just one year. Across the UK an estimated 100,000 children will spend the holiday period without permanent accommodation.