Two days to go!!!

With Scotland going to the polls on Thursday, polling shows that 61% of voters are more likely to back a party that makes reducing homelessness a priority over the next five years. During the cost of living crisis, more people view housing insecurity as a mainstream issue. Voters are clear: homelessness and housing must be urgent national priorities, yet the ambition set out in the manifestos published so far falls short of the radical action needed.

Building more social homes will both reduce homelessness and prevent it more effectively. Research commissioned by Shelter Scotland, the SFHA and the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland concludes that Scotland needs to buy and build a minimum of 15,693 social homes each year over the next parliament, supported by at least £8.8bn of investment.

Transform Community Development, as part of the Everyone Home Collective, supports the Housing Justice Manifesto and the call for housing justice to be a central theme of this election.

Homelessness affects people and places in different ways, but the foundations of the solution are the same everywhere: more affordable homes, higher incomes, joined-up support and early action. As a society, we must invest in these essentials, protect those hit hardest, and scale up what works so Scotland can become a country where everyone has a home.

We know what needs to be done. What is required now is political will and Thursday can mark the start of turning commitments into action.

The bottom line is simple: we need more social and affordable housing, a strong homelessness prevention system, and joined-up support that makes it easier for anyone to get the help and support they need to avoid homelessness.

You can read the full manifesto here.