A Scottish Human Right Commission housing rights project could be expanded after a pilot scheme in Leith yielded improvements in housing conditions for local residents.

The Housing Rights in Practice project supported the local residents to understand their rights and hold their local authority to account for inadequate housing conditions.

Following community awareness raising, human rights monitoring and engagement work in previous years, this year the local authority began an extensive programme of work to replace all kitchens, bathrooms, heating and windows in the affected housing blocks. The Commission supported residents to monitor progress towards the human rights indicators they had previously identified, and to continue to engage with the local authority.

Chair of the Commission, Judith Robertson, produced a series of case studies profiling how the communities used human rights to tackle poor housing, challenge poverty and improve health in December 2016.

The Commission is now considering how best to scale up the impact of the pilot project.

The announcement came as the Scottish Human Right Commission laid its Annual Report for 2017-18 at the Scottish Parliament to mark its tenth anniversary.

The Commission said: “As we approach this landmark, we have a strong sense of sustained momentum behind our work to promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Scotland. This Annual Report, covering the period to March 2018, details a range of significant and notable developments in the laws, policies and practices that people need in order to fully enjoy their rights.

“Our work this year took place in the context of continued Brexit negotiations, and corresponding uncertainty over the exact nature of the impact of the UK’s departure from the European Union on people’s rights in Scotland. While we pushed for continued progression on human rights laws, policies and practice, we also engaged with government and others on the risks and dangers of regression as a result of Brexit, and will continue to do so.

“The period ahead is a crucial time for the continued defence and sustained progression of human rights in Scotland. We look forward to continuing our work with you and all of our stakeholders to both meet the challenges and maximise the opportunities that lie ahead.”