Dumfries and Galashiels launch housing 'wait' campaign

A campaign for more socially-rented homes across Scotland is being launched in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

Shelter Scotland wants to see thousands of new houses built and is starting a 33-date tour throughout the country.

The End the Wait campaign will take to the streets of Dumfries and Galashiels in its first day.

Shelter Scotland said there were currently 160,000 households on waiting lists for a home.

The housing and homelessness charity is asking the public to sign up to its campaign before presenting the results to the Scottish government.

Campaigns manager Murdo Mathison said: "The housing crisis in Scotland is not going away.

"160,000 households across Scotland have been waiting for months and years for a permanent home of their own.

"They can't afford to wait any longer."

The charity wants 6,000 new socially-rented houses built this year and for each of the next four years.