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Scottish Government 50,000 homes target within reach, independent report finds
The Scottish Government’s 50,000 affordable housing target is within reach by the end of this parliament, an independent report has concluded.
The report, commissioned by Shelter Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland, examined the 32 Scottish councils’ housing plans and revealed that 49,773 affordable homes could be delivered if councils achieve their highest estimates and 45,387 if they fall short. Up to 34,850 are predicted to be for social rent. However, the report’s authors noted there may be some “optimism built into the estimates”.
The £3bn affordable housing programme is the biggest undertaken since the 1970s, according to the report’s authors, and is set to deliver a net increase of 25,000 new homes to Scotland’s social housing stock, after demolitions or other losses are included.
New build homes will make up 96% of the total numbers and housing associations are expected to be the lead developer for two-thirds (66%) of new homes, although this varies locally. In three council areas, over half of supply will be council-led.
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Fifteen per cent of the homes predicted to be built will be for mid-market rent, particularly concentrated in the four largest cities – Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
This contrasts with a predicted net loss of 120,000 council homes in England, the report’s authors said, where tenants still have a right to buy their homes.
However, it is not easy to tell whether the right type of homes are being built in the right places, the authors said.
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “This report is good news for the 137,100 households on council waiting lists and many others waiting for homes with housing associations. It shows that with the right political leadership Scotland’s social housing sector is ready to rise to the challenge of delivering the largest increase in social sector homes since the 1970s.
“Within our grasp, for the first time in a generation, is a significant increase in the affordable homes that so many badly need.
“However, whilst the headlines numbers are very encouraging, it is not yet clear if the right sort of homes are being built in the right places where people want to live. We need more detail and clarity on that crucial element of this programme.”
Sally Thomas, chief executive of the SFHA, said: “We welcome the report’s findings which show the 50,000 affordable homes target is potentially within reach. While contributing towards this target has not been without its challenges for our members – for example, the availability and cost of land – housing associations and co-operatives have proven that when set increased targets and given additional funding, they will deliver. Sixty-six percent of the new homes will be built with [a registered social landlord] as lead developer.
“However, the report also found that it is difficult to fully assess what type of housing is being built and where. In order to ensure that the correct type of housing is built – for example, for people with additional support needs – and in the areas where it is needed, this must be addressed, and this report is the first step in achieving this.
“While the Scottish Government’s increased target and funding is very welcome, we would like to see the government – and all political parties – commit to long-term funding of affordable housing beyond the lifetime of the current parliament if we are to ensure that we solve the housing crisis and deliver the homes that will be required by future generations. With this in mind, we are already discussing this with the government.”
