Housing in the spotlight at Parliament
This week saw a housing debate and SFHA giving evidence to Committee.
This week saw the housing emergency being discussed across the Scottish Parliament, with a debate as well as an evidence session at the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.
The debate, brought forward by the Scottish Conservatives, focused on whether the Housing Bill would help address the housing emergency and outlined changes that MSPs wanted to be made to the Bill. In his closing remarks, the Minister for Housing noted that “Input from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations has provided valuable insights into how rent controls will impact on social landlords who offer mid-market rent provision.”
The stage one debate on the Housing Bill will be held on 28 November, during which Parliament will vote on the general principles of the Bill. If the Bill moves forward, amendments will be considered at stages two and three.
Earlier this week, Carolyn Lochhead Director of External Affairs for SFHA, gave evidence to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the housing emergency. She outlined the crucial role that housing associations play in providing affordable, secure homes and that there was no route out of the crisis without more support for RSLs.