Homelessness Figures Shows Housing Shortages to Bite

The SFHA has called for action to reverse the looming shortage of affordable homes, ....... as official statistics released today (Tuesday 8th March) by the Scottish Government shows a rise in homelessness applications (1).

There were almost 30,000 applications for homelessness assistance between April and September 2010, up 212 since the same period in 2009.

The 2011-12 affordable housing budget has been cut by 30% - one of the biggest cuts anywhere in government (2).

Housing associations and co-operatives are the major developers of new affordable homes in Scotland.

SFHA Chief Executive Mary Taylor said:

"I'm not surprised by the rise in homelessness applications. This figure is likely to rise further given the huge cut in the affordable housing budget and the drying up of new affordable homes we are set to see in 2011-12.

"The 25 per cent drop in new homes for rent completed last year (compared with 2009) - over 2,500 houses - should be a major cause for alarm (3).

"Affordable housing was one of the biggest losers in this year's Scottish Budget, with a cut of 30 per cent.

"Our members across the country are having to shelve shovel-ready projects which would create desperately-needed housing and jobs, due to the cuts in public funding for new housing.

"The SFHA wants to see the public and private sectors working with associations to see a continued supply of new homes for rent."

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Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk

NOTES:

1) Read the Scottish Government's homelessness statistics here
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/07155415/0

Outcomes

Between April and September 2010, 11,687 homeless applicants secured a local authority, housing association or private let - a decrease of 2 per cent over the same period in 2009. Of the lets secured, 6,333 were from local authorities, 3,988 were from housing associations and 1,366 were from private landlords.

2) According to the Scottish Draft Budget 2011-12, the Housing and Regeneration Budget will fall from £488m in 2010-11 to £393m in 2011-12, a drop of 19.4%. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/331661/0107923.pdf

3) The Scottish Government's latest housing statistics can be viewed here http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/02/23114101

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

5) 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.

6) 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.