Scotland's key housing bodies have written an open letter to politicians urging them to tackle the country's housing crisis.

Ahead of May's parliamentary election, organisations such as Homes for Scotland (HfS) and the Scottish Building Federation (SBF) are urging political figures to increase the supply of warm and sustainable housing.

Overall levels of housing production have declined by 40% since 2007, yet demand continues to outstrip supply.

An excerpt from the letter states: "Scotland's housing crisis has been well documented for some years. But, with another election looming, how much progress has been made to ensure that our country can provide its growing population with one of the most basic of human requirements – a place of shelter and security.

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"With analysis suggesting that every new home supports four jobs and housing making a positive impact on so many different policy areas, the return on investment in this sector is considerable. There are clear and wide-ranging benefits in not only social but also economic and environmental terms."

Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of HfS, said: "As individual organisations, we may have different priorities but we are united in one simple request – that our politicians take whatever action is necessary to end the housing pressure affecting so many of  those living in Scotland."

The letter's signatories comprise of HfS, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Shelter Scotland, the Federation of Master Builders, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the SBF.

(LM)