43% of Scotland's social housing currently falls beneath the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, according to homelessness charity Shelter Scotland.

Former Auditor General for Scotland Robert Black has said spend on housing should be seen as a preventative measure if Scotland is to redress the imbalance of poverty and homelessness.

He made the comments at the annual Chartered Institute of Housing conference in his capacity as the Chair of the Housing and Wellbeing Commission.

Figures released by Shelter Scotland show:

• In Scotland over one in ten households (around 13 per cent) are affected by dampness or condensation (or both)

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• 940,000 households (39% of all households) are in fuel poverty in Scotland

• 73,000 households are overcrowded in Scotland. This represents 3% of the total number of households in the country

• There are over 4,500 homeless children in Scotland living in temporary accommodation.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Robert Black said: "Our society faces major challenges in responding to the consequences of a chronic housing crisis now and in the future. "We are in danger of losing sight of the importance housing plays in the wellbeing of everyone that lives in Scotland. Poor housing can have a significant impact on health, education, employability and life chances.

"Today, a serious lack of affordable housing and poor quality housing continues to damage the health and life chances of thousands of families and individuals in Scotland. To avoid a health and inequality time bomb, Scotland must build more homes and improve the quality of existing stock. Only then can it ensure the wellbeing of its people."

(IT/MH)