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Housing investment reform
25/06/2009
A Scottish Government statement on the future of affordable housing investment was published today backed by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Homes for Scotland.
In the light of the responses to the recent consultation on affordable housing, the statement outlines the five key proposals shaped by input from the wider housing sector:
- Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of housing associations' activities across the board, including procurement
- Setting a standard for development performance, which will in future be a requirement for receipt of Government subsidy
- The award three-year budgets to those associations and groups of associations that are best placed to make use of it
- Supporting collaborative groups as a way of bringing local authorities and housing associations together
- A new focus on sharing best practice
Housing Minister Alex Neil said:
"Scottish housing associations have a proven track record of developing and managing homes across the length and breadth of the country.
"This statement illustrates our commitment, along with our partners, to pursue a more strategic approach to housing investment.
"This Government wants to promote collaboration among social landlords and councils, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the way new housing is delivered.
"The statement sets out how we intend to pursue these objectives, building on the experience, strengths and skills of the sector."
Councillor Harry McGuigan, COSLA's Community Safety and Wellbeing spokesman, said:
"I'm pleased to add COSLA's support to today's statement. Local Authorities have a crucial role in increasing the supply of social housing. We want to continue the discussions around the country sharing good ideas and best practice."
SFHA Chief Executive Jacqui Watt said:
"The SFHA welcomes the formation of a working group to look strategically at delivery of housing in Scotland, having called for such a group in our response to the Government consultation.
"We welcome the opportunity for housing practitioners to get around the table with Government and find pragmatic solutions to some of the long-term challenges we face, in order to deliver the affordable housing Scotland so desperately needs."
Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, said:
"Today's statement affirms the Scottish Government's commitment to increasing the supply of housing overall, broadening its focus from social rented accommodation.
"It is also further welcome recognition of the need for the public sector to work more closely with private sector counterparts to achieve the common goal of building strong, sustainable communities.
"Our industry is ready to play a full part and we look forward to continuing dialogue with the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and RSLs on developing the innovative approaches required to help deliver the private finance for the many thousands of new homes that Scotland needs across all tenures."