The Scottish Government is to bring in emergency legislation to introduce a rents freeze, Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday as she set out plans to deal with the “humanitarian emergency” caused by the cost of living crisis.
“We will take immediate action to protect tenants in the private and social renting sectors,” the First Minister said, announcing the plan.
The Scottish Government will also double the fuel insecurity fund from £10 million to £20 million this year, Ms Sturgeon said.
It will give local authorities flexibility to use discretionary housing payments to help with energy costs as well as rent payments.
Funding for discretionary housing payments will also be increased by £5 million.
Eligibility for the tenant grant fund, introduced as part of the Scottish Government's Covid response, will be extended to provide help to those struggling to pay rent.
Meanwhile a Housing Bill will be introduced in the coming year to improve affordability for the longer term, provide new and strengthened rights for tenants, and implement key policies on short-term lets and the prevention of homelessness.
Households will be given support to install energy efficiency measures through the Warmer Homes Scotland programme in order to lower energy costs, reduce energy use and deliver our climate change obligations.
A £25 million Clyde mission decarbonisation fund will be launched to support zero emission heat projects and communal heating systems along the length of the Clyde.
The First Minister also announced that ScotRail fares will be frozen until at least March 2023.
