Housing Bill passes Stage One

Maeve McGoldrick, Head of Policy and Communications Scotland

29.11.2024

Housing Bill passes first stage in Parliament, bringing us one step closer to changing the law to prevent homelessness in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament has voted for the Housing Bill to pass Stage One, clearing its first major milestone on its journey to becoming law.

How the Housing Bill could better prevent homelessness

We strongly support the parts of the Bill aimed at preventing homelessness – in fact we have been calling for changes to the law for a long time.

Based on our recommendations, the aspects of the Bill relating to homelessness prevention would mean people could get help earlier – at least six months before they are at risk of losing their home.

The Bill also contains plans for new legal duties, so public services do more to stop homelessness from happening in the first place. If enacted, the Bill could transform the system and make a huge difference to people’s lives.

Support for the Bill in Parliament

As Housing Minister Paul McLennan explained, in opening the debate: “The measures in the Bill aim to put a renewed focus on homelessness prevention so that individuals and families do not have to experience the trauma and disruption to lives that homelessness causes.

“We want to help to keep people in their homes, whenever that is possible and appropriate, and, in the longer term, we want to ensure that there is less pressure on housing supply and public resources.”

The Scottish Conservative Housing Spokesperson, Meghan Gallacher, also supported the aspects of the Bill related to prevention. She said: “As we speak, more than 15,000 children in Scotland are homeless. That figure should shame each and every one of us.”

“There is scope for the Bill to make vast improvements for anyone who finds themselves without a home or who finds themselves sleeping rough. Scotland is in the grip of a devastating housing emergency, which is destroying lives. My party will commit to working across the parties, where possible, to make much-needed changes to the bill, because we believe that everyone in Scotland deserves the right to a safe home.”

Maggie Chapman, from the Scottish Greens added her support: “As has been stated by Crisis, Shelter and so many other organisations that work day in, day out, supporting people who are at risk of homelessness or who are actually homeless, the best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening in the first place.”

It was incredibly powerful to see MSPs from all parties argue for legal change to improve the system. If we can do that, we will reduce pressure on public services and save money, but most importantly, we will stop more people from experiencing the trauma and indignity of homelessness.

What happens next?

The Bill will now move to Stage Two – where parties will table amendments to address concerns or improve aspects of the Bill. We will work with MSPs to make sure the plans in the Bill are as robust as they can be, so that they have a real impact on preventing people’s homelessness.

That work will begin in the New Year – but for now we can celebrate the Bill moving through its first major hurdle.