Registered Social Landlords (Inverclyde)

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with registered social landlords operating in Inverclyde, and what was discussed. (S7O-00478)

My officials have regular discussions with registered social landlords and Inverclyde Council to discuss the delivery of affordable homes within the local authority. The most recent meeting took place in mid-October, with Larkfield Housing Association, its development consultants and the council. Discussions focused on current priorities and future programme planning. This financial year, we are making available £10.4 million for affordable housing in Inverclyde.

I recently visited Inverclyde Women’s Aid, which told me that a local RSL’s policy is to assign rent arrears to a tenant if they sign a tenancy halfway through a month, even though the RSL requires a month’s rent up front. That policy affects not only women but other vulnerable groups in the community. Does the Scottish Government agree that RSLs that put at a disadvantage tenants such as women who are moving on from abusive relationships should review their policies to ensure that tenants are not penalised for taking on a tenancy halfway through a calendar month?

Stuart McMillan has raised an important issue. I would be pleased if he provided further information, either directly or through Inverclyde Women’s Aid, about that practice, so that I can ask my officials to work on it directly.

The Government is undertaking work—for example, through our fund to leave—to support women who are leaving an abusive relationship. I would not want anything to get in the way of our determination to support women at such an exceptionally difficult time. If Stuart McMillan provides me with further details, I will be happy to look further into the matter and respond to him in due course.