INCREASED construction costs could see the City of Edinburgh Council purchase ‘off the shelf’ homes to boost its affordable housing supply at pace.
The proposals come as part of a 25-point draft housing emergency action plan, which has been launched in response to the local authority declaring a housing emergency earlier this month.
If agreed at a council meeting on December 5, a more detailed strategy featuring costings and specific targets will be created and brought to a full council meeting in February – with input from industry and voluntary organisations.
The local authority added that its annual strategic housing investment plan (SHIP), reveals a pipeline of 11,000 new affordable and social homes could be possible in Edinburgh over the next five years. However, it said this would come at a cost of £665 million at current market costs, which is four times the local authority’s funding projections for housebuilding.
Councillor Jane Meagher, housing, homelessness, and fair work convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said, “We’re truly at a point where urgent, united action must be taken to do right by the most vulnerable in our city.
“Thousands of people in Edinburgh are finding themselves with their lives on hold as they live through the hugely stressful reality of losing their home. Every night, close to 5,000 households are now sleeping in temporary accommodation in this city, wondering when and indeed if they will receive the security of a permanent place to live.
“Having a home is a basic human right and by highlighting the issue we’re determined to do everything within our means to address it. We’ve seen an outpouring of support from the third sector and industry which gives me great confidence that we can work together to improve the situation and clearly Glasgow is in a similar position. We need to address this issue as a city and nationally at all levels of council and government.
“Despite our success building close to 1,500 new homes and having over 500 under construction right now, plus very positive work with partners preventing homelessness, the cost of living crisis means that demand for affordable housing is far outstripping supply. The added pressure of rising construction costs and reduced budgets mean we need to think differently. I hope this action plan forms the basis of what will become a wider city plan.”
