Charity coalition calls on Scottish Government to almost double its annual target

A coalition of Scottish charities has called on the Scottish Government to almost double the amount of new affordable homes its builds each year.

Shelter Scotland, Homeless Action Scotland, Rural Housing Scotland and Scottish Churches Housing Action are calling for the government to up its target of building on average 6,000 per year until 2016 to 10,000 per year.

They have written to Margaret Burgess MSP, minister for housing and welfare saying a more ambitious target is needed, adding that upping the number would create jobs as well as helping meet the housing need.

Scottish Churches Housing Action chief executive Alastair Cameron said: “During the Westminster election campaign the First Minister called on the UK government to set a target of 100,000 new affordable homes a year across Britain.

“This would imply about 10,000 new affordable homes in Scotland each year, creating employment opportunities as well as meeting housing need.

“Housing investment is a devolved matter, so Scotland’s contribution to meeting this target needs decisive action at Holyrood.

“We agree that austerity government is not the way forward; we look forward to seeing the Scottish Government build our way to a better future for young people seeking a home, for people who need to move to take up work, and for families and individuals stuck in homelessness.”

In 2013/14 the Scottish Government was ahead of its 6,000 target delivering 7,012 affordable homes. Through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme 19,900 homes have now been built since 2011.