Construction union UCATT have demanded that the Scottish Parliament takes urgent action to reduce the number of homeless people in Scotland.

Figures show that in excess of 40,000 people are officially recorded as homeless in Scotland.

UCATT believes that the figure demonstrates the failure of housing polices of successive governments, over a 30-year period. Policies have been warped by the belief that people can only be considered successful if they own property.

In recent years year the housing association sector has fallen victim to this thinking. Housing associations have invested heavily in part-buy part-let properties. The economic downturn has meant that these properties have become virtually impossible to sell and some housing associations are now facing financial ruin.

UCATT believes that the Scottish Parliament needs to invest heavily in building rented social housing. Rather than using housing associations, local authorities should be encouraged to directly build properties.

-- Advertisement --

While ensuring that homeless families are adequately housed, such a building programme would also help to kick-start the construction industry, which has been heavily affected by the economic downturn. The worst affected part of the construction industry is housebuilding. In the last 12 months thousands of skilled house builders have lost their jobs and are seeking work.

Investment in social housing would help restore confidence in the construction industry and would also protect the construction supply chain. Many jobs are under threat in the construction supply chain due to the reduction in construction activity. Investment in social housing would also help to protect these workers.

Harry Frew Regional Secretary of UCATT Scotland, said: "The level of homelessness is a scandal. Only radical action taken by the Scottish Parliament will help to tackle the problem. Councils need to be given the money to build homes for rent."

He added: "Radical investment in affordable rental properties will not only help to end the scourge of homelessness but will also help to reinvigorate the housebuilding sector."

The highest number of homeless people is in Glasgow where 7,310 are classified homeless, this is followed by Edinburgh with 4,912 and North Lanarkshire with 2,653.

In addition to the 40,000 people officially classified as homeless thousands if other people in Scotland are on council waiting lists and are in housing need.

(GK/JM)