Letter: Home truths

There is an apparent misunderstanding within the ranks of the Scottish Government over its own manifesto commitments on housing.

The SNP's manifesto clearly states that it will build 6,000 new "social" homes each year.

This commitment to fund new social homes (council and housing association homes) sits alongside the commitment to fund other forms of affordable housing - such as shared-equity and low-cost home ownership.

But the Scottish Government's response to our evidence that there is a black hole at the heart of the SNP's funding for social homes was exclusively about these other forms of affordable housing.

Shelter Scotland, along with other housing organisations, stands ready to work with ministers to meet this bold commitment but we must end the confusion, no doubt unintended, between what the SNP's manifesto gives it a mandate to deliver and the funds it has allocated to do it.

Graeme Brown

Shelter Scotland

South Charlotte Street

Edinburgh