THE Scottish Government’s announcement that it has scrapped plans to put all new social housing tenants on ‘probation’ has been welcomed by Shelter Scotland.
Says a Shelter spokesperson: “In April, the housing and homelessness charity spearheaded a powerful coalition of leading Scottish charities (1) criticising the proposals, saying that they were unnecessary and discriminatory and would have penalised the majority of social tenants for the bad behaviour of a small minority.”
Welcoming the news, Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said:
“This shows that the Scottish Government has listened to the voices of people working at the sharp end of housing and homelessness.
“At a time when some UK politicians have sought to stigmatise social housing tenants as scroungers and as welfare cuts threaten families’ ability to keep their home, Scotland’s politicians have today struck a different tone.
“This is great news for everyone in Scotland in need of a secure and affordable home – including the 157,000 households stuck on council house waiting lists.”
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Notes to Editors:
1. Shelter Scotland, Oxfam Scotland, Barnardo’s Scotland, Child Poverty Action Group, Children in Scotland, Glasgow Homeless Network, Glasgow West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, Homeless Action Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, Scottish Churches Housing Action, Scottish Drugs Forum, The Poverty Alliance
2. Shelter Scotland helps over half a million people a year struggling with bad housing or homelessness – and we campaign to prevent it in the first place. We’re here so no-one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own. For advice and support visit www.shelterscotland.org or call 0808 800 4444.
3. Spokespeople are available for interview – call the media office on 0844 515 2442. An ISDN line is available for broadcast interviews.
4. Follow Shelter Scotland on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/shelterscotland Twitter – http://twitter.com/shelterscotland
Shelter Scotland believes everyone should have a home. We help people find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Shelter Scotland. You too can post your media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Shelter Scotland
Email: mediascotland@shelter.org.uk
Website: http://www.shelterscotland.org.uk
