ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relations between the statutory housing sector that has obligations enshrined in law, and the voluntary sector that has a role in providing legal advice and advocacy. As the evidence shows the relations between third sector organisations that exist to 'enforce' the rights of tenants and the homeless, and those who are responsible for 'meeting' these rights, are often tense and confrontational. The chapter highlights the 'relational' difficulties that arise from a divergence of priorities, even when they arise between two institutions or agencies who claim to serve the interests of the same group, in this case, tenants and homeless people. The qualitative study involved 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with senior staff members of relevant organisations across Scotland, the focus of which was to assess perceptions of the Organisation from partner agencies, stakeholders, competitors and those groups to whom it provided services of varying type.
