Build Homes, Stimulate Growth - SFHA Responds to Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

The SFHA welcomed the new emphasis on infrastructure in the Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement on the economy today (Tuesday, 29th November).

Reversing the 30 per cent cut to the affordable housing budget in Scotland is the fastest way of getting growth into the economy and meeting huge need for affordable housing, said the Federation.

The SFHA urged the Scottish Government to boost funds available for new-build affordable housing this year, using the extra funding made available to Scotland as a result of funding announcements contained in today's Autumn Statement.

Dr Mary Taylor, CEO of the SFHA said:

"By shifting the emphasis towards capital expenditure in his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor has recognised the important role of building projects in boosting the economy.

"Building affordable housing provides a unique boost to jobs and struggling local economies, as well as tackling housing need.

"Housing associations and co-operatives rose to the challenge of building a record number of new affordable homes during the 2008-9 recession, when we received accelerated funding from the Scottish Government.

"We urge the Scottish Government, in the wake of the Autumn Statement, to reverse the 30 per cent cut to this year's affordable housing budget. This would avoid the prospect of the number of new homes further plummeting, with construction activity and all the associated benefits stalling in communities across Scotland (2).

"Our message to the Scottish Government is, build homes, stimulate growth."

Dr Taylor added:

"The Chancellor also outlined plans to ‘re-invigorate' the Right to Buy in England by offering big discounts. This policy has had its day - it only results in a drain of valuable social housing at a time when there is a shortage of funds for new-build - the SFHA is very glad the Scottish Government recognises this and has curbed the Right to Buy in Scotland."

ends

For further information, contact Claire Munro on t: 0141 567 6224 m: 07771926778 or e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @sfha_hq
Find us on Facebook SFHA- We're Housing Scotland

NOTES:

1) The autumn statement is available here

2) The Scottish Government's latest Housing and Regeneration Statistics are available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration

3) The SFHA was established in 1975 and has around 170 members providing affordable housing and wider community services in Scotland, as well as a further 200 commercial members. The SFHA is owned by its membership and exists to support the work of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland by providing services, advice and good practice guidance.

4) The SFHA is the voice of the principal builders and managers of new affordable housing for rent in Scotland. Housing Associations own and manage around 40% of the country's affordable rented housing stock, over a quarter of a million homes across Scotland.

5) Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.