THE Scottish Government’s target of delivering 50,000 new affordable homes by March 2021 will be a ‘challenge’, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has said.
CIH’s UK Housing Review 2020, conducted prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, showed that completions over the first three years of the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme have seen half of the 50,000 target reached, meaning that the remaining half must be delivered in the final two years.
Commenting on the findings of the review, CIH Scotland’s national director Callum Chomczuk said, “The current crisis has made it even more apparent how important a home is to every one of us. However, our report concludes that even with record levels of investment, and before the construction sector lockdown, that delivering 50,000 affordable homes by next March was going to be a significant challenge for the government and housing sector.
“Right now the overwhelming priority of the sector is to support our tenants and communities throughout this pandemic, providing care and supporting the most vulnerable that cannot leave their homes.
“But when we emerge out of this period it is crucial that the government reaffirms its commitment to working with the sector to complete the 50,000 affordable homes programme and agreeing how we build on it so that everyone has a safe and affordable home.”
