SFHA responds to Draft Scottish Budget
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has responded to today’s Draft Scottish Budget announcement by Finance Secretary Derek Mackay by welcoming the increase of £138.9 million for the More Homes Programme. (1)
Funding for the More Homes programme has increased from £583.6 million in the 2017–18 Budget to £722.5 million in the 2018–19 Draft Budget.
Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, said:
“The increase of £138.9 million for the More Homes Programme is a very welcome announcement for the social housing sector. This funding – and the increase in the planning budget of £4.1 million – should further assist our members in contributing towards the Scottish Government’s 50,000 affordable homes target and help to house more people who are in desperate need of a home of their own.
“The investment will also secure jobs and training opportunities, key challenges identified by our members in our Brexit report earlier this year.
“Access to the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland and the Building Scotland Fund will be important for Scotland’s construction industry to secure new, innovative housing.”
Ms Thomas continued:
“While we welcome the government’s commitment to invest £60 million in a Low Carbon Innovation Fund to deliver innovative low carbon energy infrastructure solutions, we are disappointed to see that there is only an increase of £0.2 million in funding in the Draft Budget for fuel poverty and energy efficiency. The recent Scottish Household Condition survey showed that there are more housing association households in fuel poverty compared to the national average and, in order to tackle this and invest in energy efficiency, our members will require further funding.” (2)
Ms Thomas concluded:
“The Draft Budget includes an additional £4.3 million for social security, which is welcome funding for mitigating welfare reform policies such as the ‘bedroom tax’.
“The SFHA looks forward to working with the Scottish Government on the creation of Scotland’s new Social Security Agency to create a fairer system for all.”
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
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NOTES:
- http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00529171.pdf
- http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/12/5401
- The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) was established in 1975 and has around 116 members providing affordable housing and wider community services across Scotland, as well as a further 200 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
- The SFHA is the voice of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland. SFHA members own and manage 80% of the 280,000+ 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.
- Over 11,000 staff are employed by SFHA members across Scotland.
- Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.