SNP mark day one of Challenge Poverty Week with focus on Housing

Scottish Government policies have had a transformative impact on Renfrewshire North & West

Natalie Don-Innes MSP is raising awareness of the challenges posed by housing poverty, and highlighting the difference made by the SNP Government in improving access to housing in Renfrewshire.  

The Poverty Alliance’s Challenge Poverty week begins on today, with housing as the first theme. The initiative aims to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland and showing the difference that policy interventions can make in alleviating poverty. 

Since coming to power in 2007, the SNP has introduced a number of measures to improve the availability of housing in Scotland - including the abolition of Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme, ending fixed-term private lets, and improving tenants' rights. The SNP Government has also overseen the construction of 133,409 social and affordable homes across Scotland, since 2007, with 3,018 bult in Renfrewshire. 

First Minister John Swinney recently reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing, by announcing a £600 million investment in the sector this year – including £80 million over two years to bring empty properties back into use.  

Supporting Challenge Poverty Week

Key SNP policies have already made a significant difference, boosting the availability of housing in Renfrewshire where we’ve built 3,018new affordable homes since 2007. 

Natalie Don-Innes MSP said: 

“As we mark the start of Challenge Poverty Week, it's crucial to highlight the difference that having a safe, secure, warm and sustainable home can make in a person's life.

"Key SNP policies have already made a significant difference, boosting the availability of housing in Renfrewshire where we’ve built 3,018new affordable homes since 2007. 

“And we are committed to doing more, but progress is being hindered by damaging Westminster policies like the Bedroom Tax and a 9% cut to Scotland’s capital budget.

"While we continue to oppose these policies and further austerity under Labour, the First Minister has announced £600 million for affordable housing, including £80 million to repurpose empty properties; improving the availability of affordable housing in Renfrewshire and taking meaningful action to address the housing emergency.”