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Put social housing at heart of coronavirus recovery, housing bodies tell devolved nations
Social housing must be at the heart of devolved governments’ plans to steer their economies through the impacts of coronavirus, sector bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have said.
Lockdown measures imposed by ministers across the UK in a bid to bring the pandemic under control have had a huge financial impact, but are now slowly beginning to ease.
Proponents of investing in social housing argue that it can boost a wide range of industries with less risk attached than with new homes for market sale.
Construction and the housing market remain on hold in Scotland as part of the measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Building affordable housing will need to be at the heart of Scotland’s recovery from coronavirus as part of a government and public sector-led approach, giving confidence to full-scale economic renewal, and at the same time ensuring everyone has the home they need.”
She added: “Now more than ever, Scotland needs a long-term housing programme that will help to rebuild our economy, create jobs, and keep our people and communities safe and healthy.”
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Clarissa Corbisiero, deputy chief executive and head of policy and external affairs at Community Housing Cymru, said: “We know that investing in housing creates local jobs, training and business opportunities across the supply chain, which is why social housing development should be central to the Welsh government’s post-COVID-19 recovery plan.
“Housing associations are ready to play their part to kick-start the economy.
“To do this, we need the Welsh government to prioritise capital investment for social housing and offer support at national and local levels to ensure that suitable land is brought forward for development.”
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations has demanded that the sector be “central to any fiscal stimulus” during and after the crisis.
It is calling for the region’s government to confirm the level of funding available through the Social Housing Development Programme for 2020/21 and end a freeze on the Supporting People budget.
In England, a campaign backed by the G15 and Places for People is calling for a national programme to build 100,000 affordable homes for key workers over five years once the pandemic is over.
