60% of adults in Scotland know little to nothing about their housing rights

The results of the study coincide with World Homeless Day

Author: Megan WhitesidePublished 10th Oct 2022

A survey conducted by Shelter Scotland has found that 60% of adults in Scotland know little to nothing about their housing rights.

The study, which coincides with World Homeless Day, found that a majority of respondents in every demographic felt this way.

The charity says people should not have to worry about not being able to protect themselves whilst also dealing with rising costs in the home.

Assistant Director of Shelter Scotland, Gordon MacRae, said:

"The cost-of-living crisis is stretching household incomes to breaking point and we need to make sure people are not only aware of their housing rights but are also able to properly defend them.

"There are record numbers of children in temporary accommodation, people across the country are struggling to meet their housing costs, and the homelessness system is on the brink of collapse.

"This is a housing emergency"

"While we need to see an urgent and significant increase to the supply of social homes to seriously address the issue, we also need to make sure people know their rights and can protect them.

"At Shelter Scotland we have comprehensive guides to your housing rights available via our website, as well as advice on how to enforce them.

"We also have a team of trained advisors who can support you when you need extra help.

"Only building more social homes will bring the housing emergency to a permanent end but it’s vital that in the current climate people know their rights and are empowered to defend them."

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