Scottish affordable house building hits new high
The number of affordable homes built in Scotland last year increased by 30 per cent, but the number is expected to drop next year.
There were 8,092 units completed by associations and co-operatives last year with government grant and 6,221 in 2008/09.
The Scottish Government released the figures last week, saying social house building figures in the last two years were the highest since the early 1980s.
Councils across Scotland started 624 new homes in the year to June 2010 compared with 337 the previous year, an 85 per cent increase.
Mary Taylor, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: ‘This has been made possible by the Scottish Government’s accelerated funding programme and by the renewed efforts of associations to borrow privately to fund new homes.
‘However, this is not sustainable in the longer term without a reasonable on-going financial commitment from government. With the budget pressures we face from now on, we cannot expect this level of building to continue automatically next year.’
Cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘Despite continuing financial challenges faced by the Scottish Government and local authorities, I am pleased that we are maintaining the delivery of high numbers of affordable homes across the country.
‘The investment the Scottish Government made last year, and continues to make, will help safeguard jobs, support the construction industry and keep the Scottish economy moving.’
The figures also show between 2009 and 2010 private sector new build completions dropped 28 per cent to 11,555.
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Readers' comments (2)
kass | 03/09/2010 3:48 pm
I think the Scots aim to these kind of achievments just for the sheer enjoyment of enligbhtening how shameful is the situation in England.
This is like Scotland going to the World Cup and England not even qualifying. Is the fault of the English players or of the manager? One thing is certain both players and managers get paid too much - exactly like in social housing, and we customer/fans are left without any pride.
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Sidney Webb | 03/09/2010 4:00 pm
It is the fault of the fans. In England they just scream and shout at the TV screen and do what the redtops tell them. In Scotland, they get to grips with the players and 'help' them to understand what needs to be done.
I predict that there will be considerable envy of the Scots in the years to come as they continue to get fair benefits, free health care, access to affordable housing ...........
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