Joint response to the Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, Shelter Scotland, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers have issued the following joint statement in response to the Scottish Government’s Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan.

“Last week the Scottish Government unveiled its new £24bn Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan, with ministers allocating £2.8bn towards social and affordable housing over the next parliamentary term. This is a cash terms cut of 20% from the £3.5bn allocated this parliamentary term to build 50,000 affordable homes. The current programme had made real and substantive progress on tackling housing need, providing homes for many thousands of Scotland’s people.

“In June, CIH Scotland, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Shelter Scotland published research setting out the need for 53,000 affordable homes, including 37,100 for social rent, over the next five years. Based on existing grant rates this would cost the Scottish Government around £3.4bn.

“While we are keen to see more details, including the proposed grant rates and affordable housing target when the plan is finalised, we are concerned that the £2.8bn earmarked for affordable housing in the draft Infrastructure Investment Plan will not address Scotland’s housing need over the next five years.

“If we are serious about ending our housing crisis and addressing the social and economic problems exposed by COVID-19, then we need an ambitious programme of new affordable housing. This means building the 53,000 social and affordable homes Scotland needs.”