Coalition expresses deep disappointment at lack of response from First Minister five weeks after seeking an urgent meeting

In a joint statement issued today, members of a coalition of leading housing and anti-poverty organisations has expressed its disappointment at the lack of response from the First Minister John Swinney almost five weeks after writing with proposals to work together to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency.

The organisations, which represent a unique partnership between the private, social and third sector, were seeking a meeting to discuss the housing emergency action plan they had co-produced in response to the Scottish government and Scottish Parliament declaring a housing emergency on 15 May 2024.

The letter of 20 June 2024 was explicit about the need for the First Minister to be prepared to invest his political capital to change course. At 12.30pm on 25 July 2024, there has been no response to this request.

In a joint statement today, the director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson; CEO of Homes for Scotland, Jane Wood; and national director of the Chartered Institute for Housing Scotland, Callum Chomczuk, said:

“We are deeply disappointed by the lack of response to our urgent request for a meeting with the First Minister. Five weeks ago, we asked for a meeting to discuss how the housing and anti-poverty sector can work with government to reduce the harm experienced by our communities in the grip of the housing emergency. Five weeks on we still await any response.

“Whilst we recognise that the First Minister has many competing calls on his time, the lack of any acknowledgment sends a clear message. We can only conclude that building the homes we need - particularly homes for social rent, cutting the number of children in temporary accommodation and ensuring every local council can uphold the law toward people in need of a home, are not top of his to do list.

“Our letter to the First Minister said: “We do not have any confidence that the current structures can deliver unless you are willing to invest your political capital in changing course." 

“We remain ready and willing to work collaboratively with the First Minister and his government whenever they are ready to face up to the scale of Scotland’s housing emergency."