The Future of Social Housing in Scotland

EVH Annual Conference

5 October 2014

Dr Kim McKee, Director

Centre for Housing Research

University of St Andrews

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#Indyref reinvigorated Scottish politics– Emphasis on social democracy– Critique Westminster’s welfare reforms

White paper little emphasis on social housing (Maclennan 2014)

Positive sound-bites from Ministers Successive Scottish Government’s never

used limited tax-raising powers available

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“Our vision for housing is that all people in Scotland live in a high-quality, sustainable

home that they can afford and that meets their needs. We recognise the vital role of affordable rented housing in providing people with a home and a platform for getting on in life, and we are

clear that housing is crucial to our country’s health, social well-being and economic

prosperity” (SG 2012: 4).

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Very different to situation in England

“There is a question mark about whether, in future, should we be asking, actually, when you are given a council home, is it for fixed period,

because maybe in five or 10 years you will be doing a different job and be better paid and you won’t need that home, you will be able to go into the private sector” (PM David Cameron 2010)

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Scotland already has distinctive social housing policies:– Abolished RTB

– Progressive homelessness legislation

– Secure tenancies across the social rented sector

– Measures to mitigate worst impacts bedroom tax

– More ambitious climate change targets

– Social housing charter But potential to do much more post #indyref!

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What do we want HP to achieve? Housing much more than just housing

policy; wider social & economic context– ‘Wobbly’ pillar of the welfare state

– Important source individual & national wealth

– Key asset for individuals & families

– Closely linked with labour markets

– Key role in building communities & places

– Tackling fuel poverty; promoting energy efficiency

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Social housing become less widespread– 1991 41 per cent – 2011 24 per cent

Decline coincided with rise homeownership; since 2000 growth PRS

Changing tenure structure big impact on poverty in Scotland (Aldridge & Kenaway 2014)

Gap between cost of social and private rent in Scotland very high

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What do we want our housing system to look like?

If we value social housing then we need to invest in the sector

Reductions in housing capital investment in recent years hit landlords hard

Always been more than landlords concerned with ‘bricks n mortar’

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Key role to play in mitigating the affects of poverty & low-income:– Building on community-anchor approach– Catalysts to regenerate communities– Working with local partners– Enabling local people to drive forward change– Provide warm, energy efficient homes

HAs strong example of localism in action Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill

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Key role in delivering more energy efficient homes– High % fuel poor– Energy efficiency

standard for Social Housing (EESSHH)

– RSL’s EE target 2020– No social property below

C or D rating11

http://tinyurl.com/lcffewd

#indyref vote strongest in urban working-class strongholds; also areas with largest % social housing & severest poverty

Other areas with marginal no vote shared this socio-economic profile

Desire for change; and revolt against Westminster reforms & style of politics

Protect & enhance our public services

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13http://ajrae.staff.shef.ac.uk/img/indyref_yes_dep.png

Lack of housing supply more acute in ‘no strongholds’ e.g. Edinburgh, Aberdeen, rural Scotland

M/C concerns about impact on mortgages & other aspects financial health nation

Housing significant, although underplayed in #indyref debates

Sector needs to capitalise on this

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‘Devo-max’ & opportunities for change Lord Smith’s devolution commission

– Income tax– Housing benefit

Tensions within coalition about how far further devolution of powers should go

Devo-max, federalism & home-rule not the same thing – constitutional negotiating

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Practicalities re: HB & Universal Credit– Plan to be absorbed into Universal Credit– Divorce from Westminster approach allow

‘clean break’ (Gibb & Stephens 2014)

– Would require a settlement between Holyrood & Westminster in block grant

– Redesign different form of housing allowance

– Use tax-raising powers to fund reform of social security system as a whole, inc HB

– Rethink social security system in Scotland

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Social democratic vision not cost free Public & political will to support further

investment in the sector? Analysis of Scottish Social Attitudes

Survey 2013 by Matthews (2014):– 75% agree or strongly agree that the majority of people who

claim benefits do so fraudulently– 52% think taxes and spending should be lowered or stay the

same at the moment– 72% disagree with free University education

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#indyref mobilised peoples’ interests in policy & politics; sector needs to harness it!

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Raised number of questions In groups of 6-8 people debate & identify

your top 5 priorities for social housing Please write these on the poster paper

provided You have 15-20 minutes to discuss and

prioritise! One person should feedback your ideas

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Your Key Priorities:1.Affordable rents for tenants

2.Government support (financial & policy)

3.Fuel poverty and energy efficiency

4.Keeping it local (e.g. community governance, tenant participation, local decision-making)

5.New housing (including subsidy, quality of location & services, meeting local needs)

6.Regeneration and community development

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Email: km410@st-andrews.ac.uk

Visit the CHR website:

http://ggsrv-cold.st-andrews.ac.uk/chr/

Follow us on Twitter:

@kim_mckee

@StAndrewsCHR

Thanks to Louise Reid & Alasdair Rae

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USEFUL RESOURCESAldridge, H. (2014) “The #Indyref Debate on Housing in Scotland Needs to go Beyond the so-called ‘Bedroom Tax’: http://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/2014/04/indyref-debate-housing-scotlandChangeworks (2014) “Fuel Poverty Mapping at Small Area Data”

http://consultancy.changeworks.org.uk/assets/uploads/Fuel%20Poverty%20Mapping%20at%20Small%20Area%20Level_HRIS_26August14.pdfGibb, K. and Stephens, M. (2012) “Devolving Housing Benefit: a discussion paper”. Glasgow and Edinburgh: SFHA and CIH Scotland.Maclennan, D. (2014) “Scotland should have levied a 1p tax to deal with housing and social problems”: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/12/duncan-maclennan-scotland-housing-referendumMatthews, P. (2014) “Scotland Decides”, Blogpost 19th September 2014: http://drpetermatthews.blogspot.co.uk/2014_09_01_archive.htmlMcKee, K. and Phillips, D. (2012) “Social Housing and Homelessness Policies: reconciling social justice and social mix”, pp 227-242, in G.Mooney and G.Scott (eds)Social Justice and Social Policy in Scotland.

Bristol: Policy Press.McKee, K. (2012) “Housing Associations and the Big Society: lessons from Scotland’s community housing sector”.  St Andrews: Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews.McKee, K; Moore, T; and Muir, J. (2014) “Briefing Paper 1: The Big Society and Welfare Reform” St Andrews: Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews.Moore, T. and McKee, K. (2014) “Briefing Paper 2: Localism and New Housing Futures“.  St Andrews: Centre for Housing Research, University of St Andrews.Rae, A. (2014) “Indyref Maps”: . http://ajrae.staff.shef.ac.uk/img/indyref_yes_dep.pngReid, L.A. & Houston, D.S. (2013) “Low Carbon Housing: a 'green' wolf in sheep's clothing?” Housing Studies 28 (1): 1-9. 22