HOUSING body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has welcomed the refreshed Housing Emergency Action Plan.
The plan, announced by housing secretary Màiri McAllan, follows ‘extensive engagement’ between HFS and the Scottish Government during the summer recess period and includes a number of key sector asks relating to the need for an all-tenure approach, multi-year funding commitments for affordable housing, planning interventions, and proportionality for SME housebuilders.
Jane Wood, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, said, “The publication of today’s statement by the cabinet secretary should be welcomed and reflects positive change in both engagement and tone from the Scottish Government greatly enhanced by the leadership and definitive direction that we now have. We at Homes for Scotland have been clear in what we believe needs to happen.
“Given our extensive engagement and the data we have shared as an evidence base, neither ministers nor officials were in any doubt that only radical action was sufficient to turn the corner. It is clear that the cabinet secretary for housing has listened both to the challenges our members are facing as well as the solutions we have been promoting.
“An-all tenure approach, addressing planning concerns and supporting SME home builders are key measures which will take Scotland on the path out of a housing emergency. The proposed action and ambition to increase housing delivery across all tenures by at least 10% each year over the first three years of the next parliament, is a vital commitment that now necessitates that future policy and regulation must boost new housing delivery, rather than hinder it.
“Additional focus on SME home builders with actions to ensure the planning system is more proportionate and accelerate lending to them will support their critical role unlocking brownfield land and delivering rural homes. When nearly half of rural Scots view the lack of available housing as a key driver for people moving away from their local communities and work, these are critical actions.
“We now have to work with officials on the detail and delivery of the plan to ensure they achieve maximum impact.”
