Housing Statistics for Scotland Show Massive Drop in Approvals

Commenting on the Scottish Government's latest housing statistics published today (Wednesday 25th May),

which show a massive 42 per cent drop in the number of new housing association or co-operative houses being approved, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said this was a taste of what lies ahead if action is not taken.

In the first quarter of 2011, there were 42 per cent fewer new homes approved in the sector than compared with the same quarter last year.

There were 3 per cent fewer housing association houses completed in the latest quarter (2011 Q1) than in the same quarter last year, and there were 7 per cent fewer housing association houses started in the latest quarter (2011 Q1) than in the same quarter last year.

SFHA Chief Executive Mary Taylor said:

"These worrying figures show what lies ahead if action is not taken by the Scottish Government to restore spending after the massive cuts which the affordable house building has sustained in the last year.

"These figures show the Scottish Government's own target to build 6,000 new affordable homes this year is looking doubtful.

"Our research shows 1600 shovel-ready projects across the country are at risk this year alone, homes which have been years in the planning. We need to sustain affordable house building to meet need and boost the economy.

"In the short-term, the SFHA is calling for housing consequentials from the UK Budget to be allocated to new-build affordable housing, and in the longer term, we want to work with Government to look at ways in which more new affordable homes can be provided by housing associations and co-operatives."