SFHA Responds to Evictions Statement from Shelter

that evictions by housing associations across Scotland have fallen by more than a third over the last 12 months.

The Scottish Housing Regulator statistics showed a 38% reduction in evictions by housing associations, down from 1,524 in 2008-9 to 942 in 2009-10.

SFHA Chief Executive Mary Taylor said:

“A tiny proportion of the 250,000 tenancies managed by Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives end in eviction. Not only that but the excellent support which associations provide, including financial advice and flexible payment options in order to help people maintain their tenancies, has seen this number continue to drop.

“Thanks to these sterling efforts evictions in the sector fell by 38% in 2009-10 and would point out that this has been achieved by the sharing of good practice in relation to prevention and not by bringing in legislation.

“The SFHA’s Preventing Eviction and Alleviating Homelessness Guidance confirms quite clearly that eviction should only be used as a last resort, but nonetheless we maintain that the ability to evict is necessary as the ultimate and sparingly-used sanction in extreme cases. 

Ms Taylor added:

“Proposals by the coalition government to restrict the Housing Benefit of some of the most vulnerable tenants will make it difficult for them to fulfil their obligation to pay their rent. This will increase the pressure on landlords to take action against them to enforce payment to enable them to continue to maintain their properties and run their social businesses. The focus of all of the housing sector should be to oppose these cuts rather than legislating to tie landlords’ hands behind their backs. This is why we are encouraging everyone to back our Housing Benefits campaign.”