Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson Jim Tolson MSP has added his voice to doubts that the Scottish Government will achieve its target to end homelessness by 2012.

An official from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations admitted to Mr Tolson in the Scottish Parliament’s Communities Committee that there is confusion about who will be exempt from Right to Buy when the current 10 year exemption period finishes in 2012. This could mean a number of organisations originally exempt from Right to Buy losing their exemption and many affordable homes for rent could be sold.

Commenting, Mr Tolson said:

“The Scottish Government must come clean about who will be exempt from Right to Buy. The Communities Committee heard evidence from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations that there is total confusion about which organisations will be exempt when the current 10 year exemption period expires in 2012.

“At present, housing associations with charitable status are automatically exempt. There is, however, a risk that without Government clarification, a number of housing associations will suddenly cease to be exempt from Right to Buy in 2012 and many affordable homes for rent will be lost.

“MSPs were warned today by Shelter Scotland that the target of ending homelessness by 2012 might not be achieved across Scotland and that progress so far is well behind targets.

“Given the Government’s indecision, this admirable target is increasingly looking like an impossible dream.”