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ScotGov Boost for Affordable Homes
Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney announced on 15 June that £31 million of a possible £45 million (arising from extra spending announced at Westminster) will be spent on desperately-needed new-build affordable homes for rent. It is to be the centrepiece of the economic recovery package for Scotland.
Jacqui Watt, Chief Executive of the the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (FHA) said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the overwhelming need for more new affordable homes by allocating an extra £31million to support new housing. It has helped that the new Housing Minister Alex Neil has made new build his main priority.
“With waiting lists spiralling out of control and the construction industry stalling, the arguments for investing in housing could not have been stronger. A strategy for homes is also a strategy for strengthening our communities and creating jobs. Housing associations are ready and waiting to develop, with the plans and the expertise to build the high-quality homes that Scotland needs.
“We must maintain this momentum in future years, with continued investment in new housing.”
The SFHA, Shelter, Homes for Scotland and the Chartered Institute of Housing have called for the extra money coming to Scotland as a result of increased UK spending on housing to be targeted at new-build affordable homes.
Scale of Need
A total of 477,327 people are currently on local authority and housing association waiting lists for affordable homes. This represents an increase of 46% since 2000.
At present the average build rate of homes for rent since devolution has been approximately 4-5,000 a year. In the same period the average private sector build has been 20,000 a year. Homes for Scotland, the voice of private house builders in Scotland, has forecast that, due to the recession, private house building will fall well below 10,000 units a year by 2010.
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