Government urged to make social housing easier for young people to access

The Life Chances of Young People in Scotland is the second report from the Scottish Government’s independent advisor on poverty and inequality, Naomi Eisenstadt, who says any support young people receive from the government is vital in their development.

The report makes 18 recommendations to government around employment, housing and mental health, seeking to improve the life chances of young people from less advantaged backgrounds.

Its recommendations on housing are:

Responding to the report, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Naomi’s latest report, The Life Chances of Young People in Scotland, provides useful challenge to the Scottish and UK Governments to do more to improve the life chances of young people from less advantaged backgrounds and to build a fairer future.

“The publication of this report marks the end of Naomi’s tenure as my Independent Advisor – and I thank her for all she has done. I am delighted that she will continue to have provide her expertise and advice via the new Poverty and Inequality Commission.

“The new Commission will build on Naomi’s excellent work, providing independent advice to Scottish Ministers, harnessing determined collective action on a cross-portfolio basis; and scrutinising how governmental budgets, policy and practice can have the strongest impacts on poverty and inequality.”