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MSPs to hear slum inquiry calls MSPs to hear slum inquiry calls
(about 7 hours later)
MSPs are to hear calls from residents for a government inquiry into the level of slum housing, amid concerns over rogue landlords and funding shortages.MSPs are to hear calls from residents for a government inquiry into the level of slum housing, amid concerns over rogue landlords and funding shortages.
Glasgow's Govanhill Housing Association said poor living conditions were hitting the health of families, and required urgent attention.Glasgow's Govanhill Housing Association said poor living conditions were hitting the health of families, and required urgent attention.
Holyrood's petitions committee will also quiz Housing Minister Alex Neil and the leader of Glasgow City Council.Holyrood's petitions committee will also quiz Housing Minister Alex Neil and the leader of Glasgow City Council.
The SNP has unveiled plans to modernise the regulation of social landlords.The SNP has unveiled plans to modernise the regulation of social landlords.
The committee's special evidence session will come after Govanhill Housing Association director Anne Lear submitted a petition to parliament on behalf of residents from the area, on the south side of the city, urging the Scottish government to look into the issue.
Housing conditionsHousing conditions
Govanhill has some of the most severe housing problems in the UK, with an estimated 750 slum flats. The committee's special evidence session will come after Govanhill Housing Association director Anne Lear submitted a petition to parliament on behalf of residents from the area, on the south side of the city, urging the Scottish government to look into the issue.
Ms Lear previously said parts of the ethnically mixed area, which has Scotland's biggest concentration of Roma families, had become like "a ghetto for the migrant community". Govanhill has some of the most severe housing problems in the UK, with an estimated 1,200 slum flats.
Concerns have been raised over the effects of conditions on healthConcerns have been raised over the effects of conditions on health
She has also raised concerns over links with a growing number of private slum landlords to agency gangmasters and organised crime. Ms Lear, who will give evidence to MSPs, has raised concerns over links with a growing number of private slum landlords to agency gangmasters and organised crime.
And Ms Lear, who will give evidence to MSPs, said tens of millions of extra pounds needed to be pumped into the Govanhill area alone, to bring homes up to standard. She said tens of millions of extra pounds needed to be pumped into the Govanhill area alone, to bring homes up to standard.
The cross-party petitions committee is hoping the evidence it hears could influence the Scottish government's Housing Bill, which aims to boost affordable homes and improve conditions in housing across all sectors.The cross-party petitions committee is hoping the evidence it hears could influence the Scottish government's Housing Bill, which aims to boost affordable homes and improve conditions in housing across all sectors.
The proposed legislation, currently going through parliament, aims to update laws on private landlord registration, the licensing of houses in multiple occupation and dealing with disrepair in private homes.The proposed legislation, currently going through parliament, aims to update laws on private landlord registration, the licensing of houses in multiple occupation and dealing with disrepair in private homes.
The bill would also abolish the right to buy for all new council and social housing tenants to tackle shortages in rented homes.The bill would also abolish the right to buy for all new council and social housing tenants to tackle shortages in rented homes.