Scottish Government boosts affordable housing funding

The Scottish Government has announced it aims to spend £826m on affordable housing, as part of next year’s budget.

Scottish ministers said the money will be available through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in the 2019/20 budget and is a £70m increase on the current year.

The latest official statistics show that, since 2007, more than 80,000 affordable homes have been delivered including 54,537 for social rent, 19,553 for affordable home ownership, and 6,014 for affordable rent.

‘At the heart of our ambition for a Fairer Scotland is that everyone has access to a safe, warm and affordable place to call home,’ said Scottish communities secretary, Aileen Campbell.

‘This increased budget forms part of the single biggest investment in, and delivery of, affordable housing since devolution with over £3 billion committed which will deliver good quality, secure and affordable home, which will in turn help create strong, sustainable communities.

‘We have set an ambitious target to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes over the course of this Parliament, including 35,000 for social rent and are making good progress towards that. By ensuring councils and housing associations have financial certainty we are confident that this commitment can be fulfilled,’ added Ms Campbell.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) welcomed the announcement, but urged Holyrood to commit to funding beyond the lifetime of this parliament in order to meet outstanding and future need.

‘While we welcome the Scottish Government’s funding of £826 million, 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,’ said SFHA chief executive, Sally Thomas.

‘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.’

The SFHA has calling for three actions that they believe 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 is available to meet people’s changing needs throughout their lives