Scottish Government
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Affordable housing investment reform
Proposals to help meet the demand for affordable homes while safeguarding taxpayers money were announced yesterday.
The consultation on the future of housing investment in Scotland outlines plans for a network of lead developers. This will allow housing associations to increase efficiency and maximise the supply of new homes.
Lead developers will also be able to aid the construction industry by adopting long term plans for investment.
Meanwhile the proposals recognise the important housing and planning role of local authorities, and how to ensure that investment reflects the needs of communities.
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell, said:
"This Government is committed to maximising the supply of affordable housing and finding ways to support the Scottish construction industry and these are key themes of our economic recovery plan.
"Scottish housing associations have a proud track record of developing and managing homes across the length and breadth of the country, and they have made a real difference to many of our most vulnerable communities.
"But we now face the challenge of maintaining or increasing supply in a turbulent financial climate, and Associations need to consider whether new approaches would enable them to do even more."
Brian Gegan, Chairman of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said:
"This is an important consultation document, and I would encourage all housing associations to respond to it and let the Government know their views.
"The Federation welcomes the Government's commitment to engage openly with housing associations on these important issues, first through the consultative seminars last summer, and now through this consultation.
"I also welcome the Government's recognition that these are challenging times for everyone in housing, and their invitation to associations to comment on the implications of the credit crunch for the timing of these proposals so that the supply of affordable housing can be maximised through our sector."
Kennedy Foster, Policy Consultant for the Council of Mortgage Lenders Scotland, said:
"The risk profile of the Scottish housing association sector remains good and there is still an appetite to lend to associations. CML welcomes the Government's proposals for lead developers because there is a need for greater co-ordination in borrowing and more sophisticated risk management by associations.
"Efficiency improvements must be secure and sustainable and not, for example, heavily reliant on subsidising the costs of social rented housing from the sale of housing for home ownership."
Councillor Harry McGuigan, COSLA's spokesperson for Community Wellbeing and Safety, said:
"This consultation presents an opportunity to discuss the reform of affordable housing investment. Any reforms will have to recognise local government's pivotal role in housing investment and councils' role as the strategic housing authority.
"I know there is an immediate need to boost the supply of affordable housing especially in areas of need across Scotland, and local government is committed to working with its stakeholders to achieve that aim."
Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, said:
"We are encouraged by the Government's proposals for reform and more effective procurement.
"Longer-term strategic planning for investment, which underpins the consultation proposals being tabled today, will help the home building industry to strengthen its existing links with the sector and offers the potential to secure jobs whilst stimulating housing provision across all tenures."
Alan Ferguson, Director CIH Scotland, said:
"The Scottish Government's consultation marks a key point in shaping the future of how Scotland invests in new affordable housing. We are facing an increasing need for affordable housing, yet at the same time the Scottish Government has to act within finite resources.
"This consultation begins a welcome conversation with the housing sector and other interested parties on how best we can move forward."
The consultation asks housing associations, local authorities, tenants organisations and other stakeholders for their opinions on a series of questions that were influenced by the feedback received from housing associations and local authorities during six regional seminars and other discussions. It runs until March.
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