An exhibition of thought-provoking photographs showing tenants’ experiences of private renting in Scotland was launched at a reception event at the Scottish Parliament last night.

The innovative exhibition ‘Private Renting in Scotland: your house, your home?’ aims to put private tenants’ views at the centre of policy change by sharing their experiences with politicians and policymakers.

The exhibition is the culmination of a ‘photo-voice’ project carried out by Open Aye and Shelter Scotland which enabled private tenants from different walks of life to explore themes around housing, belonging and community as a private tenant.

Participants were trained in photography, provided with cameras and over a three-month period took pictures which convey their views and aspirations around private renting and housing generally.

The exhibition launch was hosted by Scottish Green Party co-convenor Patrick Harvie MSP and was funded through Shelter Scotland’s partnership with the Oak Foundation. Housing minister Kevin Stewart MSP spoke at the event along with Shelter Scotland director, Graeme Brown.

The exhibition features a curated selection of the photos taken by the groups involved in the project.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “These images are a wonderful snapshot of the participants’ aspirations and experiences of private renting in Scotland today. They illustrate the passions and frustrations and importance of having – or not having - an affordable, safe and suitable place to call home.

“To develop this exciting project, we worked with families, LGBT youth and young people engaged in an employability programme. The images convey a sense that whether you’re young, older, single, living with family, in work, out of work, as parents or childfree – a place to call home is important to everyone – a home that’s safe, free from discrimination and that has outdoor space for health, wellbeing and community.”