Campaigners join forces to call for evictions ban extension in Scotland

A coalition of housing and welfare organisations has made an urgent plea to the Scottish Government to extend eviction protection measures.

The coalition claims that “time is running out” for families at risk of losing their homes in the light of the Covid-19 crisis and that the Government must show leadership to help prevent hundreds of families from becoming homeless.

In an open letter signed by organisations including Shelter Scotland, Glasgow Night Shelter and the Scottish Refugee Council, the group calls on Housing Minister Kevin Stewart to extend emergency powers against eviction when Parliament meets on 11 August.

The letter comes just a week after the Joseph Rowntree Foundation recommended that the ban in Scotland be extended until September 2021.

The current protections against eviction are due to be lifted in September, and the coalition is calling on the Scottish Government to extend these measures to ensure that vulnerable households can remain in their homes until at least April 2021.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “We know the pandemic has had a terrible impact on household finances.

“Thousands have lost their jobs, rent arrears are increasing and we’ve seen big increases in homelessness applications and the use of temporary accommodation. We must act now to stop the situation from getting worse.”

“Scottish Ministers have shown real leadership in getting people off the streets and keeping families in their homes.

“Now we’re asking them to step up once again by protecting people from being evicted and preventing a wave of homelessness this autumn.”

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