Scotland's Affordable Homes Hit 50 Year Low

Scotland has fewer social rented homes than it had 50 years ago, according to a report published today by housing and homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland.

The charity's new report 'Building Pressure', which shows the growing gap between the number of homes needed and the number available, launches the charity's campaign for a serious cash hike for housing from next year's budget.

The report shows there are fewer social homes for rent than at any time since 1959. Much of that decline has been as a result of Right to Buy. Since 1998 alone, 135,000 homes have been sold through Right to Buy.

The number of council homes available to let has fallen dramatically. In 2001, there were 3.9 people on council waiting lists for every let. By 2008, this had risen to 6.6.

At current rates it would take almost seven years to find a house for everyone already on housing waiting lists.

The number of people stuck in temporary accommodation - often expensive accommodation provided to people who are homeless - has soared by 135% between 2001 and 2008. This means there are at least 17,000 people (including 7,000 children) in temporary housing - almost enough to fill Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh.

By 2008, despite house price inflation falling off, it was still 16% harder for a first time buyer to buy a home than it was in 2001.

The Shelter's campaign aims to secure a commitment from the Scottish Government to fund 30,000 affordable rented homes by 2012 - the deadline for Scotland's internationally acclaimed homelessness legislation to give everyone a home.

Mr Brown said: "The Building Pressure report lays bare the chasm between the number of homes needed and the number available to house Scotland's people. People are losing their jobs and their homes, piling pressure on a system already at breaking point. It's a crisis that's built up over time and can only be solved by building more homes.

He added: "The Scottish Government's medicine - of bringing forward cash from next year's budget is welcome but the doses of cash for housing overall are inadequate. Last year's budget fell short of Shelter Scotland and other housing experts' projection of what we need to end the housing crisis. We cannot afford to make the same mistake in 2009. Scotland's people, its reputation, and its recovery, depend on tough funding decisions and decisive action."

(GK/JM)