Meeting of the Parliament 19 November 2024
Meghan Gallacher raises a valid point on the discussions that we have been having. When we look at the homelessness figures, we see that there are four or five local authorities on which the issue is focused.
We have been focusing on voids and empty homes. The question is what we need to do to deliver the solution. Empty homes officers are part of it, but we need to determine what else is required. That point has been raised. The budget process is under way. The First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government have mentioned the importance of housing and what we need to do to recognise that as we go forward.
Meghan Gallacher talked about the Housing (Scotland) Bill. I will touch on the points that she made. Part of the bill focuses on homelessness prevention. However, it also relates to rent controls, on which I acknowledge that we might not agree.
I see investment as being incredibly important. That is why we set up the housing investment task force, which includes investors, as part of the work on rent controls. There has been some welcome for what we have proposed on rent controls. Rent controls were included in the discussions that we held with the housing investment task force. Ms Gallacher will know that, tonight, there is a Scottish Property Federation reception at which we will speak to more people about rent controls. I continue to be happy to discuss the issue with her.
The voids issue is incredibly important, and I will touch on the point that Ben Macpherson made about the situation in Edinburgh in a second. I thank Meghan Gallacher for the points that she made. There are a number of key points to make in relation to Ben Macpherson’s comments. I have been asked how the compulsory purchase orders and compulsory sale orders are looking. An expert advisory group is working on that, and it is engaging with stakeholders. There are plans to have a consultation in 2025. I am happy to come back to Mr Macpherson and others on the timescale, but it looks like it will happen in 2025.