One in six Scottish families live in damp accommodation

The combined housing, health and environmental groups are due to take their call to Holyrood.

A total of 24 organisations, led by Shelter Scotland, say decent rented homes are vital in the fight against poverty and ill health.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said a broad range of housing issues was being examined.

In Scotland there are currently 8,000 people in temporary homes while one in six families live in damp properties.

Archie Stoddart, director Shelter Scotland, said the lack of available quality homes for rent was causing a crisis for Scotland's poor.

The link between poor housing and ill health was first established almost two centuries ago, yet today in Scotland, one in six families with children live in damp homes Dr Peter Terry BMA in Scotland

He said: "We have come together with these 23 other organisations to reinforce to politicians and the public that housing is central to everyone's lives.

"The new government cannot afford to ignore the problem that is Scotland's housing crisis."

The list of those taking part in the coalition include the British Medical Association, the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.

According to the latest figures there were about 200,000 people on house waiting lists in 2006, while first time buyers found it 65% harder to get onto the property ladder than 10 years ago.

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland said it was time for the government to act.

Top priority

He said: "The link between poor housing and ill health was first established almost two centuries ago, yet today in Scotland, one in six families with children live in damp homes.

"We need to bridge the gap between housing and health policy, and we are therefore please that this is a feature of the new Health and Wellbeing Department of the Scottish Executive."

An executive spokesman said: "The Scottish government is aware of the difficulty many people can face in accessing affordable housing and easing that burden is a top priority.

"We are currently assessing a broad range of housing issues across Scotland and we are aware of the difficulty many people can face in accessing affordable housing."

He said the spending review, which will take place later this year, would consider all options "in terms of the most effective means of providing new housing".

He added: "We intend to engage with tenants, community groups, house builders and private sector interests, to ensure we meet these needs."