Record View: Housing minister needs to get a grip over homelessness crisis

Given the severe shortage of affordable housing right across the country, the Scottish Government should be demanding that more homes are being built.

Housing minister needs to get grip

The scale of homelessness in ­Scotland is a national disgrace.

In a country with such wealth, there is no excuse for more than 10,000 children living with their families in temporary accommodation.

Given the severe shortage of affordable housing right across the country, the Scottish Government should be demanding that more homes are being built.

Instead, overall house building is down by 17 per cent.

Housing associations are completing fewer properties than at any time since the days of Margaret Thatcher.

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Anas Sarwar was right to raise the issue at First Minister’s Questions and ask John Swinney what was being done to get to grips with the situation.

Too many other politicians are guilty of ignoring the issue altogether.

The Scottish Government may have declared a housing emergency but that counts for little if there are no concrete steps taken to fix it.

Paul McLennan, the housing minister, faces one of the toughest jobs in Scottish politics and is rightly being scrutinised for his performance.

But his team must be given time to turn things around.

The solution to this crisis will require nothing less than a housing revolution.

It will involve the planning system, social housing providers and the private sector.

Sacking McLennan will not fix the problem – but he needs to get to grips with this absolutely shocking state of affairs.

And more importantly, he needs a clear path to a future where everyone in Scotland has a home.

Superfan’s legacy

Tartan Army stalwart Robbie ­Campbell was a kind and caring man loved by his family.

When he died in a tragic accident aged just 30 his mum Lynn was heartbroken.

But she has bravely spoken out in today’s Daily Record to reveal that Robbie was a registered organ donor – and three lives were saved due to this simple gesture.

Nothing will ever lessen the pain suffered by families of those who die before their time. But it has been a comfort to Lynn knowing that her son has given the gift of life to three of his fellow human beings.

The inspirational mum is now giving talks around the country asking people to register as organ donors.

As this is organ donation week, all we can do is urge our army of readers to read Lynn’s story and give it some thought.

It only takes a few minutes to register online as a donor – and it could be a lifesaver.

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