Six Join Forces to Call for Extra Housing Investment

Six major national organisations representing the Scottish housing and construction sectors have joined forces to call on the Scottish Government..... to use extra funds at its disposal to build badly-needed new affordable housing.

The six organisations - Shelter Scotland, the Scottish Building Federation, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO)and UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades & Technicians) - are seeking changes to the draft Scottish Budget for 2012-13, which plans a 30% cut for affordable housing (1).

They have today (Wednesday 7th December) sent a joint letter (2) to Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure & Investment Alex Neil and Housing Minister Keith Brown to urge they use extra money from the Coalition Government to reverse cuts to the hard-hit housing budget.

In the letter, the groups state this is one of the best means at the Scottish Government's disposal of boosting the Scottish economy and meeting huge need for affordable housing.

In the letter, the six state:

"As organisations spanning the housing, and construction sectors, we are writing to you on behalf of our members and of the homeless people and others in housing need who rely on our services, to urge you to argue for affordable housing to have a greater share in the Scottish Budget 2012-13.

"Funding for affordable housing is proposed to be one of the biggest losers in the draft Scottish Budget.

"The latest Scottish Housing Statistics show an overall decline in the number of new affordable homes being built by local authorities and housing associations is taken together. Our sector has the capacity to make use of the available funds to good effect now and long term, and we can deliver swiftly.

"We understand that the recent Autumn Statement by the UK Chancellor has made available extra funds to the Scottish Government for capital expenditure. Added to the £57m Scottish ‘consequential' from the English Council Tax freeze, this could be a substantial sum of money available to bolster government support for affordable housing, at an essential time.

"According to research for the Scottish Government last year, investing in affordable housing is an effective way to boost jobs and stimulate the economy. It would also meet huge need. Currently at least 156,000 households in Scotland are stuck on waiting lists.

"We know you know that when the economy is struggling, there is no better way than investing in housing to support jobs, apprenticeships and economic development in our communities hardest hit by recession. At the same time this would enable us all to meet overwhelming needs."

The letter concludes:

"Therefore we urge the Scottish Government to use this unallocated capital expenditure to help build more affordable homes, to benefit local economies and meet local need."

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 overall amount of funding available for new investment in housing has been cut by over 30% and subsidy levels were cut for 2011-12 by around 48%. 2.5. According to the 2012-15 Draft Scottish Budget, this is set to be cut further; by nearly 50% in the first two years.

2) The joint letter to Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure & Investment Alex Neil can be downloaded HERE

SFHA

• 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.

• 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.

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

Scottish Building Federation

• Founded in 1895, the Scottish Building Federation (SBF) is the lead voice of the construction industry in Scotland, an industry which is the largest source of private investment north of the border and contributes around £10 billion (c.10%) to Scotland's GDP. The overall aim of the organization is to ensure that the important contribution of the Scottish construction industry to Scotland's economy and society is recognized and valued, which it does through working with industry, government and the media, and that industry standards are raised.

• The SBF promotes the interests of the construction industry to a diverse range of stakeholders and is the leading employers' federation for the industry, representing over 700 companies from Orkney to the Borders.

• The SBF provides an exclusive range of invaluable support services to a wide range of member companies, whether these are small single trade firms or major regional and national contractors. The shared objective that all members have in common is their commitment to health and safety, skills and integrity, ensuring the delivery of the highest standards of performance, professionalism and quality within the industry in Scotland.

Shelter Scotland

• Shelter Scotland provides expert support services, online advice and a free national helpline for everyone facing housing and homelessness difficulties. For advice and support visit http://scotland.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
CIH
• CIH is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. As the professional body for housing it is our job to help housing professionals - we only exist to help you and your organisation be fantastic. CIH was formed in 1916 and for nearly 100 years our purpose and the passion that drives it has remained constant and true.

ALACHO
• ALACHO stands for the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers.

UCATT
• UCATT is the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians. UCATT represents people working in construction.

 

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