Help to Provide More Homes in Rural Scotland
Up to £25 million is being made available to help councils identify affordable homes for key workers in rural communities.
The five year initiative, set out in the Scottish Government’s priorities for the next three years, will enable local authorities and registered social landlords to acquire or lease properties which can be used to provide homes to meet the needs of their communities.
From the Affordable Housing Supply Programme £25 million will be made available from 2023-28 to help to make best use of underused or empty properties by making them available for key workers and others in need.
Tackling empty homes is a priority for the Scottish Government and this pilot will build upon the work of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which has helped bring more than 8,000 homes into use as warm, safe and secure housing. Further details on the process will be shared with local authorities shortly.
£3.5 billion funding is being made available in this Parliamentary term towards the delivery of affordable homes in communities across Scotland. This includes the continued commitment of support of up to £30 million towards a Rural and Island Housing Fund, for communities and organisations not able to access traditional affordable housing funding.
I very much welcome this important targeted funding.
GRAEME
It is vital that we try to ensure people working in critical roles can access affordable housing wherever they are in the country.
Much of my Angus South constituency is rural, and we cannot have a situation where keyworkers in such areas are struggling to put a roof over their head.
I look forward to seeing the details of this and wider support for rural communities in the delivery plan.
Opportunity, equality and community are vital to everyone no matter wherever they live, and we recognise that a tailored approach is needed for our rural areas.
HOUSING MINISTER PAUL MCLENNAN
Good quality affordable housing is essential to attract and retain people in rural communities, particularly in areas where key workers are needed. That’s why we are making up to £25 million available in a dedicated fund to make affordable homes for key workers, such as those working in the public sector and emergency services.
Delivering affordable homes is a priority for this government. We have committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 – with at least 10% in remote, rural and island areas. Our upcoming delivery plan will set out actions to support our rural and island communities including areas such as transport, repopulation and economic development.
Background
Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – a fresh start
The definition of key workers is determined by individual local authorities based on local priorities. Local Housing Strategy Guidance sets out how local authorities are expected to take the needs of Key workers into account including through specific policies, including allocations.
