Parliament inquiry hears Scotland is not on track to meet housing need
Sally Thomas gave evidence this week to a Scottish Parliament inquiry on housing.
Earlier this week the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee began an inquiry into Scottish Government’s Housing to 2040 strategy, which sets out their vision for housing in Scotland.
Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, gave evidence to the Committee, outlining Housing Associations and co-operatives are central to delivering the objectives of Housing to 2040 but find themselves in increasingly difficult positions. Members are caught between the imperative to keep rents affordable and the need to invest in homes (existing and new) and communities.
The Committee were told repeatedly that the proposed cut to the affordable housing supply programme budget, increased costs, and tenant hardship are posing real challenges for the sector and threaten Scotland’s ability to achieve the goals set out in Housing to 2040.
Next week, the Scottish budget will go before MSPs for a final vote where SFHA will again be calling for the severe cuts to be reversed.