You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Scotland ‘unlikely’ to meet 50,000 homes target due to coronavirus, housing minister confirms
The Scottish housing minister has said the Scottish government is unlikely to meet its target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video posted to his Twitter account, housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “For the past nearly four years, I and many others have put our hearts and souls into delivering 50,000 affordable homes for the people of Scotland, including 35,000 for social rent.
“That’s been backed by over £3.5bn of investment, but unfortunately the current COVID-19 pandemic makes it unlikely that we will reach that target and for now our priority has to be to ensure the health and well-being of all of our people.”
We were on track to deliver @scotgov’s ambitious 50k affordable homes target, but the Covid19 pandemic now makes this unlikely. Thanks to all who have helped in our endeavours & I know that we’ll all rise to the challenge after the current emergency ends. #MoreHomesScotland🏡🏴 pic.twitter.com/WjFElUpYPO
— Kevin Stewart MSP (@KevinStew2020We were on track to deliver @scotgov’s ambitious 50k affordable homes target, but the Covid19 pandemic now makes this unlikely. Thanks to all who have helped in our endeavours & I know that we’ll all rise to the challenge after the current emergency ends. #MoreHomesScotland\uD83C\uDFE1\uD83C\uDFF4\uDB40\uDC67\uDB40\uDC62\uDB40\uDC73\uDB40\uDC63\uDB40\uDC74\uDB40\uDC7F pic.twitter.com/WjFElUpYPO
— Kevin Stewart MSP (@KevinStewartSNP) April 3, 2020
The target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes, including 35,000 social rent homes, between 2016/17 and 2020/21 was first set by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2015.
READ MORE
The latest government figures show that just under 40,000 grant-funded affordable homes had been approved in Scotland from the beginning of 2016/17 until December 2019.
Since the introduction of greater social distancing measures in response to the coronavirus crisis, the Scottish government has ordered that all construction sites should close down.
This is a different stance than the one being taken by the UK government, which is advising that sites can stay open if they adhere to social distancing rules.
Mr Stewart continued: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in helping deliver our ambitious affordable housing programme – government civil servants, local authorities, housing associations, the construction industry and many many others who have worked very very hard to achieve what we have done thus far.
“I know that you will rise to the challenge after the pandemic is over and that we will do everything possible to deliver as many affordable homes as we can, but for now stay home, protect our NHS, stay safe and get ready to come back to work in the future to deliver our ambitious housing programme for Scotland.”
In response to Mr Stewart’s comments, Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Before the coronavirus outbreak, it looked likely that the Scottish government would meet its target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.
“However, development has been paused by the government – and SFHA supports this as people’s health and safety must come first.
“Our members have worked hard to help the Scottish government to meet its affordable homes target, and they will do so again once it is safe to restart construction.
“We are currently working with Shelter Scotland and Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland on research into affordable housing need post 2021.
“After the coronavirus crisis ends, the need for affordable housing is likely to be greater than ever – both for Scotland’s people and its economy.
“Not only does affordable housing help to support some of the country’s most vulnerable people, but building homes boosts the economy by creating jobs – both of these benefits will be much needed.”
