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02 Oct 2024 Housing

We need bold action to tackle the housing emergency

Scottish Greens demand action on housing emergency

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The SNP must offer action and clarity to tackle the housing emergency, say the Scottish Greens, who have called for the Scottish Government to pull out all stops in responding to the crisis.

The warning follows a debate about the housing emergency in which the Minister for Housing, Paul Maclennan, committed to investigating proposals made by the party’s housing spokesperson Ariane Burgess MSP.

These suggestions included a commitment to raising additional revenue for affordable housing by increasing the additional dwelling supplement, an additional tax paid by those purchasing a property which is not their primary home, such as “buy to let” landlords and those buying second homes, supporting the employment of local empty homes officers and a recognition that a robust system of rent controls and tenant protections must be at the heart of the upcoming Housing Bill.

Following the debate, Ms Burgess said:

“The Scottish Government needs to offer real clarity and bold action to tackle the housing emergency.

“I welcome the Minister’s commitment to investigate Scottish Green proposals to tackle the crisis, but words are not enough. The kind of actions we have called for are crucial to supporting tenants and households on the frontline of the crisis.

“The human impact of the emergency is all around us. It is the experience of people being evicted from their homes because they can’t afford their rent, the collapse of rural and island communities because they can’t provide housing for families who want to live and contribute there, and the people making their bed on the side of the road.  

“The Scottish Greens have long campaigned for the introduction of robust rent controls, and we have been deeply concerned by recent rhetoric from the government around the watering down of the rent control and tenant protection provisions in the upcoming Housing Bill. I believe today is a positive step towards securing these in that landmark bill.

“We must recognise that the housing emergency has hit so many families across Scotland, and that empty words and promises from politicians to deliver ‘change’ isn’t enough. That is why I am proud that the Scottish Greens have brought real proposals to the table, and we are now setting them into action.”