The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations has welcomed the Scottish Government and COSLA‘s joint consultation on plans to increase affordable housing supply, saying the focus on tackling empty and second homes is a step in the right direction.
Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Ahead of the new First Minister setting out his government’s priorities to Parliament today, it’s heartening to see an early focus on the need to urgently increase the supply of affordable homes, through increased council tax on second homes and in other ways. Those homes are key to Scotland’s fight for social justice — ending homelessness, creating thriving communities, meeting climate targets, reducing child poverty and so much more.
“Yet we are at real risk of not meeting our social housing targets, with a 13% drop in new social home approvals in the year to September 2022, and just 4,188 social homes built so far against the 2032 target of 110,000 affordable homes, of which 77,000 must be social homes. That’s at a time when many families are already waiting far too long in temporary accommodation.
“So while this is a step in the right direction, we need to ensure that revenue generated by the proposals is earmarked for increasing the supply of affordable housing and that we continue to see much more bold steps if we’re to deliver the affordable homes that Scotland desperately needs.”
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