The Scottish Parliament's new coalition executive has surprised the social housing sector by setting out a string of housing commitments in its partnership agreement and appointing a housing minister at cabinet level
Campaigners welcomed the series of initiatives agreed by the Labour and Liberal Democrat cabinet, most of which will be co-ordinated by the new minister for communities, Wendy Alexander.

But in what appears to be a climbdown by Liberal Democrat leader Jim Wallace, the document pledges only to "review the future role" of Scottish Homes.

Wallace, now deputy first minister and minister for justice, had previously pledged to scrap the quango.

Alexander, 35, who worked on the housing green paper, will oversee junior ministers Frank McAveety (local government) and Jackie Baillie (social inclusion).

Political observers were surprised at the number of housing commitments within the government's coalition agreement, which includes:

  • improving damp and cold housing, especially for the elderly and the poor
  • promoting barrier-free standards
  • banishing rough sleeping by the end of the parliament
  • encouraging rent deposit schemes
  • a common tenancy agreement for social housing tenants
  • encouraging community ownership and private investment in social housing.

A Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland spokesman said: "The indication is housing is very firmly a political priority in Scotland."

The coalition has agreed to a parliamentary debate on university tuition fees because the Lib Dems are maintaining their manifesto pledge to abolish them - a policy housing campaigners fear could jeopardise housing budgets (Housing Today, issue 133).

Source

Housing Today