Scottish government declares national housing emergency
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n11j180lzoThe SNP previously voted against a Labour motion declaring a housing emergency in November.
Since then, with the end of a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, the Scottish government lost its majority in Holyrood and faced potential defeat in the debate on the emergency this afternoon.
By changing position and conceding there is a housing emergency, ministers avoided what could have been a difficult moment in parliament.
First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland News: “What we want to do today is to reach out to other parties and to recognise the significance of the challenge that exists.”
He added: “We have to recognise that the government does not have a limitless amount of money and we can’t invest everything if our capital budget is being reduced by the UK government.”
Last year, Argyll and Bute, City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City councils all declared housing emergencies.
Fife Council made the same move in March followed by West Dunbartonshire earlier this month.
Declaring an emergency is a signal to government that the current situation is not working and there needs to be intervention.
The councils cited issues ranging from pressure on homelessness services, rising property prices and high levels of temporary accommodation.
By declaring an emergency, the Scottish government is formally recognising the housing problem and calling for cuts to its capital budget to be reversed.
However, there are no practical effects that automatically happen due to a declaration being made.
The SNP amendment to the Labour motion added that the housing situation had been caused by a "combination" of issues - including UK government austerity, inflation, labour shortages linked to Brexit, and a freeze to local housing allowance rates.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that a "joint approach" between Holyrood, Westminster and local authorities would be needed to combat housing problems.
She said she would use all the powers at her disposal to try and address the housing situation, which she called "one of the defining issues of a generation".