The Scottish Housing Bill

Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament passed the long-awaited Housing Bill. I wanted to share my reflections on what this Bill gets right, what it misses, and what still needs to happen if we are serious about ending the housing emergency in Scotland.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have been clear for a long time: we must be doing far more to prevent homelessness and tackle the housing crisis head-on. Homelessness is at record levels. More than 10,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation, and hundreds of thousands of people are stuck on housing waiting lists with no clear end in sight. Add to that the cost-of-living crisis, which has pushed rents and mortgages out of reach for many, and it is obvious that we are nowhere near meeting the level of need facing communities across Scotland.

The Housing Bill gave us an opportunity to change that trajectory. I was pleased that my MSP colleagues supported measures that strengthen protections around homelessness, improve the response to domestic abuse, and introduce Awaab’s Law, which will help tackle dangerous damp and mould. These are important, overdue steps.

Ahead of the Bill passing, my team reached out to Fife Council for their views and their detailed response reinforce several of my own concerns.

To summarise the key points from Fife Council:

• We need to significantly increase housing supply.

• Funding for property acquisitions is helpful and necessary.

• Improving conditions is vital but comes with major financial implications.

• Councils need proper financial support to keep social housing affordable.

Scotland cannot address a housing emergency with warm words, underfunded duties, and half-measures. We need real investment, a clear long-term plan, and a commitment to both expanding and improving our housing stock.

Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue pushing for that balanced approach: stronger rights, more homes, safer homes, and the investment needed to make it all possible.

Our communities, and the thousands of families currently without a secure place to call home, deserve nothing less.