Affordable housing funding welcome but government must commit to longer-term programme, says the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.
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The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of £826m funding for affordable housing, through the 2019/20 Scottish Budget, but urged the Government to commit to funding beyond the lifetime of this parliament in order to meet outstanding and future need.
SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: “While we welcome the Scottish Government’s funding of £826m, which is part of its commitment to build 50,000 affordable homes, we would urge the government, and all political parties, to commit to a longer-term programme of delivery beyond the lifetime of this parliament.
“It is vital that the post-2021 Affordable Housing Supply Programme maintains the existing levels of funding to meet outstanding and future need. As well as longer-term funding, it is equally important that we ensure we have the right homes, in the right places, to meet people’s needs and aspirations.”
SFHA is calling for three actions that would help increase the supply of new homes and solve Scotland’s housing crisis for the long-term:
- Continued grant investment in new build affordable housing at present levels.
- Planning and land system reform in order to provide affordable land for housing development.
- Reform of the housing system so that a range of high quality affordable housing.
