Homes Fit for the 21st Century: the Scottish Government's strategy and action plan for housing in the next decade 2011-2020

Foreword

This policy paper sets out the Scottish Government's vision for housing for the coming decade, drawing on the housing discussion which took place last year.

We make no apology for setting out an ambitious agenda. Scotland needs many more new houses and to significantly enhance the quality and sustainability of our existing housing stock and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The Scottish Parliament has also committed to a set of demanding targets on homelessness, fuel poverty and climate change, which must be met.

We need to find ways to achieve this despite the additional major challenges stemming from the credit crunch and the UK Government's cuts to public spending. That is why we are setting out a radical agenda with profound implications for the way we think about housing, the way we invest, the way we make use of existing housing, and the way we support our people in their housing choices.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and the paper highlights examples of the ideas emerging from across the housing sector and beyond, which will help to deliver our vision.

Housing is about more than simply bricks and mortar. From children needing space to play and learn, to those seeking to buy or rent, to those requiring adaptations to continue living in their homes, housing touches everyone's lives, and in different ways. We believe that everyone should have a safe, warm home which they can afford, and we are committed to ensuring that this becomes a reality.