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Rural Homes for Rent
29/02/2008
Rural landowners and community buyouts will be able to apply for Scottish Government grants under a new pilot scheme to boost the number of new affordable homes for rent.
Rural Homes for Rent, supported by £5 million over three years, was announced by Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell during a speech to the Rural Housing Service Conference 2008 in Dunkeld today.
Under the scheme, rural landowners across Scotland, including community buyout groups, will be able to apply for housing grants to help them build new affordable homes for rent on their land.
The pilot aims to open up an extra source of land for housing which owners might otherwise be unwilling to sell, and will complement the work already being done by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in rural parts of Scotland.
The scheme itself should deliver around 100 new affordable homes for rent by 2011 - and, if successful, could act as an example to be emulated on a larger scale.
Mr Maxwell, said:
"Too many people in rural Scotland are facing an uphill struggle to find an affordable home and it's therefore absolutely crucial that we explore fresh ways of increasing the number of homes built. This is essential for the future health of our rural communities.
"This pilot scheme, backed by £5million of Scottish Government money, will work with established landowners and community buyout groups, who share our desire to maintain the long-term viability of rural areas.
"In return for the grant, we will expect them to conform to the highest standards already in place across Scotland, matching those offered by Registered Social Landlords to ensure that this new approach will be a good deal for tenants.
"Because the grant recipients already own the housing land, they won't require as much in grant money - making it a good deal for the Scottish taxpayer too."
The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) has been closely involved in developing the pilot.
Sarah-Jane Laing, the SRPBA's Housing Strategy Officer, said:
"The SRPBA is delighted that the Scottish Government is delivering on its proposals to involve rural landowners in developing affordable rural housing, after years of campaigning and work by the Association and its members.
"The houses built under this pilot scheme will make a significant contribution to meeting housing need in rural Scotland.
"The SRPBA has a large number of members eager to take up this opportunity to provide additional, good-quality rented accommodation and build on the crucial role that rural landlords already play."
Planning policy for housing is currently being reviewed and the revised policy will include guidance to local authorities on planning for new housing in rural areas.
In line with the Scottish Government's discussion paper on the future of housing in Scotland, Firm Foundations, the new planning policy will aim to free up more land for housing and make sure best use is made of land already earmarked for development in local plans.
Applicants will be able to apply for the pilot from April, with the first projects to get underway in 2009 following assessment.
Any rural landowner will be able to apply and there will be eligibility criteria, including that the landowner has a long term stake in the area, and that they have the necessary skills, experience and capacity to deliver and manage any project. Landlords will be able to contract out management duties to RSLs or other management agents if they wish. Community buyout organisations who meet the criteria will also be eligible to apply.
Grant conditions will closely mirror those offered by RSLs and rent increases will be capped and set in line with those charged by existing RSLs.
Landlords will be required to be registered with their local authority and sign up to the new national landlord accreditation scheme operated by the SRPBA and the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL), which is expected to launch in Spring 2008.
Landowners can contact the SRPBA Housing Strategy Officer Sarah-Jane Laing on 0131 653 5400 or housingstrategy@srpba.com for more information.