ABSTRACT
Local government and its various functions, including housing, has long been a key responsibility of the Scottish Office, and local government structures and policies have developed which are quite distinctive from other parts of the United Kingdom. This chapter looks at the current housing system, focuses on the country's distinctive tenure structure. It then moves on to the Conservative legacy, both in terms of the means of delivering the housing service, through reformed local government and new housing landlords, and also in terms of the question of value for money. The chapter includes the whole question of housing needs, homelessness, community care and housing renewal. The Conservative government, from 1979 to 1997, has left a substantial legacy in terms of housing policy, and this clearly has an impact on current issues affecting Scottish housing. Much of this legacy relates to questions of resources and value for money but there have been major organisational changes which are having substantial long-term effects.
