The bill aims to ensure the homeless have the right to accommodation

The most contentious part of the bill is the extension of the right to buy publicly owned homes to housing associations.

Critics argue that demand will outstrip supply.

The executive believes the bill will allow councils to have a more strategic role in housing matters, but critics say it will mean fewer houses available to rent in the future.

Improved grants will be made available to private owners for improving and repairing their homes.

The bill also allows for a suspension of the right to buy option in areas where property is in great demand.

Rights of tenants

It core aim is to improve and protect the rights of tenants over the setting of rents, repairs and improvements are also included.

The bill brings forward measures to tackle homelessness, including an enhanced package on minimum rights for homeless people, the provision of temporary accommodation and the right to be placed on a housing register.

The executive argues that the bill will improve the balance between the rights of tenants and the rights of landlords.

Fiona Hyslop: The SNP opposed the Bill

It is hoped that landlords will no longer be able to refuse a housing application on the grounds that the prospective tenant has non-housing debts.

Previously, only those living in council stock have the right to buy.

The bill will now change this to allow everyone this opportunity and extend the right from two to five years.

The executive has pledged that by 2003 no one in Scotland will have to sleep rough, meaning that everyone has the right to some form of accommodation.

Housing Minister Jackie Baillie said the new bill will ensure the onus is placed on councils to ensure that everyone was given an opportunity to access accommodation.

Ms Baillie said: "Handing out a leaflet or a list of bed and breakfast accommodation to people who are homeless will no longer be enough.

"The new legislation means that councils will have to provide wide-ranging and proactive advice and assistance to help a homeless person get permanent accommodation."

The minister added that the government housing agency Scottish Homes will be given the responsibility of ensuring that councils carried out their duties.

The SNP's housing spokeswoman Fiona Hislop has accused the executive of bulldozing the bill through parliament, with more than 500 amendments dealt with by the housing committee during the general election.

Approved in principle

She moved two main amendments, one to stop the "right to buy" being extended to housing association tenants and the other placing a duty on housing associations to house the homeless.

Both these amendments were defeated as MSPs poured over the details of the bill.

In March, the bill won approval in principle from a committee of MSPs.

At the time, the social justice committee said it was "integral" to strengthening housing and communities.