FOLLOWING today’s (Wednesday) announcement that Highland Council’s application to extend pressured area status has been approved by the Scottish Government, Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said:
“We welcome this common-sense decision that will help to protect social housing in the Highlands. Pressured area status is one of the few tools available to local authorities like Highland to limit the sale of homes.
“While there is no doubt that Right to Buy has been popular, this has resulted in the loss of over 5,000 homes in the Highlands over the past ten years. Across Scotland there are over 160,000 households stuck on waiting lists with demand continuing to outstrip supply.”
He added: “The Scottish Government has already made amendments to Right to Buy through the current Housing Bill, but we want to see these changes go further as Right to Buy is outdated and needs to be simpler, more flexible and in-keeping with 21st Century housing policy.”
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Notes to Editors:
1. Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity. Shelter Scotland believes that everyone should have a home. We help people find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all.
2. Scottish Government press release: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/10/13095528
3. Spokespeople are available for interview, telephone the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line number is available for broadcast interviews.
4. For more information about Shelter Scotland visit www.shelter.org.uk
5. Follow Shelter Scotland on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/shelterinscotland
Twitter – http://twitter.com/shelterscotland
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Shelter Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Neil Baldwin, Nicola Baxter
Phone: 0844 515 2442
Website: http://www.shelter.org.uk
