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INTRODUCTION
SCOTLAND'S HOUSING
The pattern of tenure of Scotland's housing stock has changed markedly over the last 30 years.
The last quarter of a century has seen a transformation in tenure. In 1982, as chart 1 shows, only a minority of households were owner occupiers, a far smaller share than the social rented sector. By 2005, however, owner occupation was the tenure of 67% of the housing stock. Although this pattern of change is seen across most of Europe, the change has been most dramatic in Scotland, where the level of owner-occupation has risen by 31% since 1982.
Source: Scottish Government, Communities Analytical Services, Housing Statistics
Our research on housing aspirations suggests that these changes are mirrored by a change in cultural attitudes, with ownership identified as the preferred tenure by 86% of respondents. 1 Our housing policies must recognise and adapt to these changes and the aspirations that they have engendered. That means developing policies that support home ownership where it is reasonable. But, it also means ensuring that those for whom ownership is not practicable or attractive have access to a good choice of houses for rent in the social and private rented sectors.
Achieving a good mix in the housing options available is important in providing choices for people. And energy efficient, high quality housing is vital for creating sustainable places that promote health and wellbeing in Scotland and that make Scotland a more attractive place in which to work and invest. It also forms a key part of our global and local contribution on climate change.
Our first challenge, however, is to improve supply as a whole by addressing its failure to increase sufficiently in response to rising house prices. For that reason, this discussion document begins with a summary of housing market developments and an analysis of the importance of increasing housing supply as a means of improving affordability in the medium term. This sets the context for the proposals which follow for increasing overall housing supply and supporting first-time buyers, for fostering the development of the private rented sector and reinvigorating social rented housing.
The paper does not seek to address every aspect of housing policy. The first eight years of devolution have seen many valuable reforms directed at the quality of housing - in the way it is managed, in the rights of tenants and owners and in the physical condition of the stock. These include the Scottish homelessness legislation which has been rightly applauded for its vision and ambition and a range of measures to address fuel poverty.
They also include the agenda set by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, the introduction of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard ( SHQS) and related measures to tackle the chronic disrepair in Scotland's housing stock. We will take forward and build on these reforms, particularly in relation to the energy efficiency of the housing stock and the need for disability adaptations to enable people to live independently in their own homes.
However, the focus in this paper is on increasing the supply of good quality housing at prices which people can afford. Our proposals signal a major shift in housing policy from the agenda of recent years. They place a new emphasis on increasing overall housing supply, to achieve a fairer system of housing, and on driving up environmental standards, to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
While ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the housing association movement, our proposals aim to strengthen the role of local authorities both through the strategic management of housing in their areas and through a renaissance of council-house building. And they signal a new, positive attitude to the private rented sector.
The agenda set out here is a challenging one, for government - local and national - in setting the context for change, and for house-builders, housing associations, private landlords and the many other players in the housing system. Success cannot be delivered by central government alone, but through these proposals we will lay the foundations upon which Scottish housing can grow and flourish.
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