Affordable housing funding welcome, but government must commit to longer-term programme

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has today welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of £826 million funding for affordable housing, through the 2019/20 Scottish Budget, but urged the government to commit to funding beyond the lifetime of this parliament in order to meet outstanding and future need.

SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said:

“While we welcome the Scottish Government’s funding of £826 million, which is part of its commitment to build 50,000 affordable homes, we would urge the government, and all political parties, to commit to a longer-term programme of delivery beyond the lifetime of this parliament.

“It is vital that the post-2021 Affordable Housing Supply Programme maintains the existing levels of funding to meet outstanding and future need. As well as longer-term funding, it is equally important that we ensure we have the right homes in the right places to meet people’s needs and aspirations.”

SFHA is calling for three actions that would help increase the supply of new homes and solve Scotland’s housing crisis for the long-term:

• Continued grant investment in new build affordable housing at present levels
• Planning and land system reform in order to provide affordable land for housing development
• Reform of the housing system so that a range of high quality affordable housing is available to meet people’s changing needs throughout their lives.

Ends

For further information, please contact SFHA Media Adviser Kirsten Walker on t: 0141 567 6221 m: 0788 788 8348 email: kwalker@sfha.co.uk

Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SFHA.HousingScotland

Twitter www.twitter.com/sfha_hq

NOTES:

1. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) was established in 1975 and has around 133 members providing affordable housing and wider community services across Scotland, as well as a further 150 sector associates. The SFHA is owned and governed by its members and exists to lead, represent and support the work of housing associations and co-operatives throughout Scotland.
2. The SFHA is the voice of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland. SFHA’s 133 members represent 85% of the sector, own and manage 86% of the 247,000+ housing association stock across Scotland. Together, housing associations and co-operatives provide housing for almost 500,000 people, which is one in every 11 households.
3. Over 15,000 staff are employed by SFHA members across Scotland, 93% of the staff within the sector.
4. Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies, regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.