Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury has implored the Scottish Government to make housing a priority in 2024.
Mr Choudhury has raised concerns over the festive period that hundreds could sadly be faced with rough sleeping this winter, with many more at risk of homelessness or living in what he says is unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Mr Choudhury says he is often inundated with casework where constituents are in poor quality temporary housing and are concerned about the lengthy waits for housing.
It is reported that there could be almost 30,000 people facing homelessness this year. Recent budget plans, however, will see a real-terms cut in homelessness prevention funding for local authorities of £500,000. Mr Choudhury says that this is unacceptable and that the Scottish Government must make it a priority in 2024 to give local authorities sufficient funding.
Mr Choudhury said: “I am reiterating my plea yet again this festive season to the Scottish Government to increase funding to local authorities, so that Councils can ensure that they can meet the demand for housing and have the capacity to build more social housing.
“We also must ensure that Councils have enough funding to make improvements and upgrades to current properties such as retrofitting, which could help improve conditions such as mould and damp which my constituents often report to me.
“Nobody in Scotland should be forced into homelessness or have to endure seemingly endless waiting in unsuitable housing.
“I am imploring the Scottish Government to ensure fair funding for local authorities so that they can invest what is needed in our social housing sector and I will continue to make it a priority to campaign for this in 2024.”
BRITAIN is in the grip of a new mould crisis, a leading property association has warned. The National Association of Property Buyers says they are seeing more and more cases of mould infestations inside properties.
And they’ve warned the problem is going to get worse and wll become a bigger issue for many homeowners and renters in the New Year.
Spokesman Jonathan Rolande has now called for a national awareness campaign to drive up knowledge and information about the problem.
He said: “Damp and mouldy homes don’t just make life a misery – they put lives at risk. I fear the cost of living crisis is only making this issue more acute.
“I am seeing more and more cases of this at the moment in properties I am viewing and in pictures shared with me by colleagues in the industry.”
Explaining the main reasons properties suffer with dampness, Mr Rolande said: “Rain is a massive contributory factor. This can enter the home through a porous external wall or because of defective guttering or roofing. Once it has penetrated it soaks into insulation and plasterwork. This is a perfect environment for mould to grow. The UK is experiencing increasing amounts of torrential rainfall.
“Rising damp is a problem too. A more unusual cause as most properties built after 1930 have an adequate damp proof course (DPC) to stop moisture from the ground from entering the home. However, the DPC can be breached if soil or paving is built up around the outside walls.
“Condensation often creates damp as well. We all experience condensation in our homes when cooking or after a shower. Good ventilation is key, moisture has to be allowed to escape. Many people don’t ventilate adequately in an effort to preserve warmth in the home.”
TIPS ON HOW TO BEST DEAL WITH MOULD
*Switching on the heating for at least twenty minutes in the morning will even out the temperature and stop the cold spots where condensation settles. Warmer air increases airflow too which allows moisture to escape more easily.
*Ventilate. If safe to do so, leave a window slightly open whenever you can and always when cooking or bathing.
*Dry clothes outside when possible or in a ventilated room. Tumble driers cause less condensation.
*Use moisture traps or a dehumidifier to catch excess water.
*Remember that our homes are now more airtight – double glazing and insulation keeps the bills down but stops normal airflow.
*Some plants – ferns and orchids – reduce humidity and they look nice too
*Check the structure, damp can be a pipe leak or rain getting in through the brickwork. Check tiles and gutters are sound too.
*Use lids on cooking pans – it saves money too.
*Keep furniture away from walls to increase air movement
The Scottish Government has published their consultation paper on planned Heat in Buildings legislation which sets out a path for how best to deliver greener, warmer homes for Scotland.
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights, Patrick Harvie, recently visited Granton to see heat networks being set up for the new developments on the Waterfront.
The systems and homes being built in Granton are examples of what could be rolled out across Scotland – greener energy, lower bills and no fossil fuels.
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Green Councillor for Forth Ward, Kayleigh O’Neill said: “This is another major milestone in the Granton Waterfront project. Over £1 billion has gone into helping a community become well connected and no longer reliant on fossil fuels. This is a massive step towards tacking climate change and transitioning the city, and country, to net-zero.”
Cllr. O’Neill added: “Over the next ten years we will also see more affordable housing being built and care taken towards our urban coastal green spaces. We have to be ambitious and put people and planet first in all future developments.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy. Granton Waterfront will set the standard for sustainable growth and show how we can live without fossil fuels.”
The consultation will run until 8 March 2024, then responses will be scrutinised and a final decision made on when to publish a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to pass in 2025.
Yesterday the SNP/Green led Scottish Government voted down Scottish Labour’s Motion to declare a housing emergency across Scotland.
In her speech Scottish Labour’s Sarah Boyack MSP, praised the leadership shown by City of Edinburgh Councillors but called out the SNP and Greens for failing to do so in Holyrood.
Ms Boyack urged the Scottish Government to provide local authorities, like Edinburgh, the resources they need to take substantial steps in tackling the Housing emergency.
Ms Boyack also used her speech to highlight practical solutions, that could be taken to make an immediate start on tackling the housing emergency, such as bringing empty homes back into use. However, Edinburgh Council need resources from the Scottish government, to make this happen.
Speaking after the debate, Sarah Boyack said: “Tackling the housing emergency in Edinburgh needs to be a priority. Every day I receive emails from constituents who are struggling to access the housing they need or are being priced out altogether.
“SNP Councillors recognise the magnitude of the crisis, so why doesn’t the SNP Government?
“So far, the Scottish Government has failed to recognise the scale of the challenge. The Scottish Government needs to work constructively with all councils, to ensure the resources are in place, to adequately tackle this emergency
“MSPs will have another opportunity to recognise that we are facing a housing emergency through my motion and subsequent members business in the new year.”
92 per cent of the private rented sector in Scotland is unaffordable for people claiming benefits
New research commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland in partnership with Fife Council highlights the shortfall between Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and the actual cost of renting a home in the private rented sector (PRS).
The research, conducted by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) and based on analysis of Zoopla data on advertised rents, found that:
Across Scotland, just one in 12 advertised properties in the PRS (eight per cent) are covered by LHA
Aberdeen and Shire had the largest percentage of “affordable” properties at 19.7 per cent, still significantly below the 30th percentile West Dunbartonshire had no properties available at or below the LHA rate
The average shortfall in rent for a two-bedroom home was £108.10 per month
The smallest difference was found in Aberdeen and Shire at £6.64 per month, in Greater Glasgow the shortfall was £201.78 per month.
The report concludes that, “the PRS is now largely unaffordable to new entrants or those seeking to move within the sector who are in receipt of LHA.” It recommends:
Reinstating LHA at the 30th percentile in the short-term. This is likely to cost around £98 million per year in Scotland. This cost could be covered by the UK Government or a ‘top up’ by the Scottish Government similar to ‘bedroom tax’ mitigation in the social rented sector.
Reviewing the process for setting LHA in the longer-term, including consideration of how rental data is gathered and the geographical boundaries of BRMAs.
The Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) which limits single people under the age of 35 to a room in a shared home, rather than a one bedroom home, is unfair and impractical, and consideration should be given to scrapping it.
Gavin Smith, Chair of CIH Scotland said:“The PRS is a vital part of our housing system and can play a greater role in preventing and responding to homelessness in Scotland.
“We cannot ignore the link between affordable housing supply, the rising number of people in temporary accommodation and the emergence of Scottish councils having to declare housing emergencies.
“The PRS plays a vital role but must be affordable and as this research shows freezing LHA rates has had a devastating impact on its affordability for those that need it the most. All UK governments must urgently unfreeze LHA rates”
Andrew Watson, lead author of the research by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) added:“Due to changes in housing choices and a lack of social housing, the PRS plays a critical role in the provision of homes for households in receipt of LHA.
“A combination of rising rents and frozen LHA rates have rendered the sector unfordable for those seeking entry, whilst also limiting the ability of existing tenants to move within the sector.
“The lack of affordability has many drivers, but the actions of UK and Scottish Governments (and in particular the freeze in LHA rates and the introduction of rent caps) have played a significant role. It is therefore reasonable to expect that government action will play a key role in addressing the problem.”
You can read the research report in full here, which includes a breakdown of the findings by region and property size.
Draft legislation aiming to prioritise homes for living in
Draft regulations allowing local authorities to charge up to double the full rate of Council Tax on second homes have been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
If approved, local authorities would be able to apply the Council Tax premium on homes that are not used as a main residence.
This change, a Programme for Government commitment, attracted majority support in a joint consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). It will bring second homes into line with long-term empty homes from 1 April 2024.
In the 2024-25 financial year, it will be based on rates from 2023-24.
Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur said: “We want everyone in Scotland to have a home that meets their needs. We know second homes can sometimes benefit local communities, but they can also restrict the availability of housing and increase costs for people who want to rent or buy.
“Subject to approval by Parliament, this legislation aims to prioritise housing for living in by allowing local authorities to charge a Council Tax premium on second homes. Backed by a majority of respondents to our joint consultation with COSLA, it will enable councils to seek a fair contribution towards local services from second-home owners.”
COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Subject to Parliamentary approval, COSLA very much welcomes the ability for councils to take the decision to increase the premium on second homes in their areas.
“Allowing the politicians who are closest to their communities to take decisions about what best suits local needs and circumstances is well aligned to the Verity House Agreement.”
Carol from Shelter Scotland advises Families and Pregnant Women around any housing issues but mainly damp and mould, and overcrowding.
She will be here at PCHP on the first and third Fridays of November and December from 10am until 12pm. Come along to meet her if these issues are affecting you!
Legislation giving Scottish Ministers powers to assess and remediate buildings within scope with unsafe cladding, where consent of the owners cannot be provided, has been published.
Under proposals in the Housing (Cladding Remediation) Bill, the Scottish Government would also create and maintain a Cladding Assurance Register to give residents confidence about the assessment and works undertaken once those buildings are remediated.
The Bill would also give Ministers the power to establish a Responsible Developers Scheme, to support engagement with developers and encourage them to pay for or carry out remediation work.
Whilst subject to further consultation, such a scheme would likely include agreement to pay for remediation costs, with potential sanctions for developers that are eligible but do not join or continue membership.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “We are determined to safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding which has been identified through the cladding remediation programme.
“Where work is required, it should be carried out swiftly and this Bill will allow us to build on progress to date by addressing barriers to assessment and remediation work.
“The public commitments that have already been made by many of Scotland’s developers to identify, assess and remediate their buildings mean that public money can be focused on buildings without a linked developer.
“The opportunity for future creation of a Responsible Developers Scheme – through secondary legislation – would recognise those developers who are doing the right thing and protect the reputation of responsible operators.”
Councillors in Edinburgh have overwhelmingly voted to recognise and seek to address the scale of Edinburgh’s housing crisis.
In a first for the city, members agreed to officially declare an emergency today (Thursday 2 November) during a Full Council meeting.
It comes as Shelter calls on local authorities to take concerted action across the country, and as homelessness reaches close to 5,000 households a night in the Capital despite a huge amount of preventative work by the third sector, Council and partners.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said:Edinburgh is a caring, welcoming city and our council officers, charities and partners do an incredible job supporting our most vulnerable residents. Sadly, however, despite us doubling the Council’s homelessness budget over the last three years, we are now at risk of failing households who need our help most.
“Edinburgh may be a wealthy city on the surface, but we are seeing demand for homes far outstrip supply. Close to 5,000 households including many children will need to live in temporary accommodation this Christmas, because of this housing shortage.
“This is not a new challenge, but it is at the stage of breaking point. Rents are being driven up, the cost of living continues to put pressure on household bills and homelessness is rising. We have ambitious housebuilding plans, but we face rising construction costs as a result of inflation and difficulties securing land. This is against a backdrop of Edinburgh having the lowest proportion of homes for social rent in all of Scotland.
“By declaring a housing emergency, we hope to draw widescale attention to an issue that demands urgent and united action. Every single person deserves a warm, safe, and affordable place to call home and we can address this, if we act now.
“I’m pleased this decision received such powerful support today from Councillors and we will now work towards establishing a Housing Emergency Action Plan, while seeking the resources necessary to achieve its success.”
Shelter Scotland has welcomed the City of Edinburgh Council’s declaration of a housing emergency.
The capital becomes the first city in Scotland to declare a housing emergency, with councillors backing a motion at today’s full council meeting.
The motion also commits the council to developing a housing emergency action plan alongside key housing, social justice, and other stakeholders from across the city.
The housing and homelessness charity pointed to the chronic shortage of social housing in Edinburgh, the record numbers of children stuck in temporary accommodation in the city, and the rising average cost of private renting as evidence of a housing emergency in Edinburgh.
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said:“Rents are out of control, record numbers of kids have nowhere to call home, more and more people are becoming homeless – Edinburgh is clearly in a housing emergency.
“The housing emergency is touching communities across Scotland, but a chronic lack of social homes, and the enormous number of properties used exclusively for short-term lets are just some of the factors which have made the situation especially acute in Edinburgh.
“By coming together to acknowledge that reality today, councillors now have licence to deliver the emergency response we need.
“Of course, there are aspects of the housing emergency that are beyond the council’s control, both the UK and Scottish governments must share responsibility, but it’s clear that a business-as-usual approach isn’t going to cut it anymore.
“People in the capital are crying out for action – every level of government has a duty to respond.
“Today’s declaration of a housing emergency is just the start of the journey; Shelter Scotland is ready to support the council as it prepares its action plan and we’ll be monitoring progress closely.”
Scottish Labour Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack has today called on the Scottish Government to provide targeted and substantial resource to fix Edinburgh’s housing Crisis.
In anticipation of the City of Edinburgh Council declaring that Edinburgh is facing a housing crisis, Sarah Boyack MSP asked the First Minister to provide the resources and funding needed to fix Edinburgh’s broken housing market.
Commenting Ms Boyack said, “Humza Yousaf’s empty words at FMQs do nothing to alleviate the concern of the 5000 families living in temporary accommodation here in Edinburgh.
“With rents skyrocketing and families being forced out of Edinburgh the SNP Government has presided over a national failure in housebuilding.
“We need more affordable and social housing in Edinburgh, and with 84% of Scotland’s population growth being concentrated in the Lothians we urgently need the funding to address Edinburgh’s housing crisis.”
Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance – which was crucial to the delivery of 567 affordable homes last year, including 193 in Edinburgh – commented on the city’s housing emergency.
She said:“The announcement of Edinburgh’s housing crisis is no surprise and a clear wakeup call that we need immediate action to empower social landlords to get social homes back on track.
“It’s a Scotland-wide problem. By providing better funding and cutting the red tape, we can enable associations to deliver quality, community-driven social housing.
“With a raft of head winds facing the housing sector at the moment, Scotland’s Housing to 2040 vision will be a major challenge to achieve.
“Other regulations and aspirations aren’t helping the cause. With the uncertainty of the proposed Scottish Passivhaus equivalent standard from December 2024, adding to the hefty load the sector is already carrying.
“Recent rent freezes, soaring prices, inflationary pressures, skills shortages and sustainability of contractors have all played a part in the reduction of new build development and existing unoccupied social housing.
“Housing providers across Scotland need more support and guidance if they are to have any chance of meeting government-led targets and manoeuvre this crisis. “
Minister says councils must have UK Government support
Migration and Refugees Minister Emma Roddick has urged the UK Government to provide financial support for local authorities as it presses ahead with plans to close asylum hotels.
In a letter to Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, Ms Roddick welcomed measures to end the inappropriate use of hotels to accommodate people seeking asylum along with UK Government measures to tackle the backlog in asylum decisions.
However, she said the move was placing further pressure on local services and called for increased funding to enable councils to meet the needs of refugees when they receive a positive asylum decision.
Ms Roddick said: “The Scottish Government has long been clear in our view that hotels are not appropriate accommodation for people seeking asylum.
“While I welcome your recognition that the asylum decision backlog must be tackled, I want to make clear that it is completely unacceptable and reckless for the UK Government to shift a significant burden onto local authorities without providing financial support.
“The UK Government must provide funding to local authorities and work constructively with them to ensure that people receiving a positive asylum decision are supported to move-on from asylum accommodation, without creating unmanageable pressure on housing and homelessness services over a short space of time.
“It is UK Government mismanagement of asylum decision making which has created the backlog and the consequences of that cannot be passed to local authorities without any support to manage them.
“I request urgent provision of funding to local authorities to support move-on associated with the backlog clearance.”
