Rural Housing Issues On the Agenda at Inverness Event

Urgent rural housing issues are set for discussion at a hustings event being held by the Rural & Islands Housing Associations Forum (RIHAF) and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) for potential MSPs at the Town House, Inverness on Thursday, April 14th (5.30 p.m. for 6 p.m. start).

The event will be chaired by journalist Lesley Riddoch and the panellists will comprise :

• Liam MacArthur (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
• Mary Scanlon (Scottish Conservatives)
• Dave Stewart(Scottish Labour)
• Dave Thompson (SNP)

RIHAF's Chairman, Di Alexander, said:

"We are looking for realism and commitment from all political parties as far as housing investment in 2011/12 and beyond is concerned.

"Realism about how much public subsidy is required to build the good quality and properly affordable rented housing that is predominantly required, particularly in rural and remote areas.

"And a wholehearted commitment to ensuring that rural Scotland doesn't become the fall guy and lose out disproportionately in the understandable drive to get the biggest possible bang from the public buck.

"The evidence makes it crystal clear that rural and remote Scotland merits its fair and full share of whatever housing investment is made available overall.

"But without total realism and commitment from whichever Government is in charge after the May Election there is a very real danger that the investment will be directed towards cheaper projects and not into those where costs and needs are greatest - for example, Scotland's all too-easily squeezed and ignored rural and island communities."

SFHA Chief Executive Mary Taylor said:

"Funding cuts mean that in 2011-12 the supply of new affordable homes will fall considerably short of the amount Scotland so badly needs.

"In our manifesto we are calling for new MSPs to recognise the need for special consideration for remote and rural housing projects where build costs are higher. We hope to see a good audience at our joint hustings event this Thursday."

Dr Taylor continued:

"The number of new homes approved across Scotland in the last quarter fell by over a third compared with last year and we are concerned this will fall even further.

"We are calling on all the parties to recognise the impending shortage of new affordable homes for rent and to act, as new funds have been made available to Scotland through the latest UK Budget.

"Housing associations have a track record of producing quality, energy-efficient housing which suits local needs and we can't sacrifice that. Unless more funds are made available, we will lose valuable expertise, economic activity and employment opportunities, as well as homes.

"Around £112m of extra funding will be available to Scotland as a result of the UK Budget and we would like to see this directed to ensure that affordable housing projects currently at risk can go on site. This would help redress part of the massive cut to capital housing projects in the 2011-12 Scottish Budget."

 

< Prev		Next >