Campaign calls for young people to have legal right to live where they grew up

A campaign group is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure young people have a ‘right to live’ in the community they grew up in.

The problem is described as most acute in rural areas where a lack of affordable housing, transportation and economic issues are “decimating” communities.

In a new strategy document, Community Land Scotland calls on politicians to establish a right for young people to live in the community where they grew up.

This new call is one of six new ‘asks’ detailed in Community Land Scotland’s Perth Declaration – which presents a collective vision for a flourishing Scotland through community ownership – by 2034.

Community Land Scotland development manager, Linsay Chalmers, said: “Our members are very clear that they want to see people – particularly young people – have a ‘Right to Live’ in their communities.”

“Many of the places where our members are based have plenty of jobs – and young people who want to stay and contribute – but there is nowhere affordable for them to live.

“This is decimating communities and leaving young people with little choice but to move away.”

The other five targets in Community Land Scotland, Perth Declaration 2024 – are:

Secure financial stability with the ownership of assets at the heart of the community.
Engagement between landowners and their communities.
Land reform to address wealth imbalances.
Community Wealth Fund from renewable energy development providing communities with income.
Creation of high-quality apprenticeships and jobs.

The organisation says it will use the Land Reform Bill, the review of Community Right to Buy, and the Community Wealth Building Bill to advance change in Scotland’s land ownership system.