Future for housing in Scotland

Health and Wellbeing Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that there was a need to develop a ‘fresh approach’ to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing across all tenures.

A discussion document Firm Foundations – The Future of Housing in Scotland was published, giving details of the Scottish Government’s proposals for increasing housing supply and choice.

The paper recognises the central role that home ownership plays in the housing system – and in society – by offering help for more people to buy their homes.

But it also takes full account of the need for a thriving social sector that can adapt to changing demand and offer more choice to those who cannot afford to, or do not wish to buy.

Communities, councils, social landlords, developers, tenants and lenders are being invited to comment on the proposals.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed that the Government will proceed with the introduction of the single survey scheme for house sales from late 2008.

She said: “It is a fact that the Scottish housing system is not meeting our needs as a country.

“If people are to meet their needs and aspirations for housing that they can afford; and if the country is to benefit from sustainable growth, we must build more houses – to higher standards – across all tenures.

“That is why a fresh approach is required and the proposals in the document address every element of the housing system.

“The current rate of new house building – 25,000 new houses a year – is simply inadequate. It can and must increase if Scotland’s housing requirements are to be met.

“I therefore propose to set a national goal to raise the rate of new housing supply to 35,000 a year by the middle of the next decade. This is necessary if we are to reverse declining affordability and I believe it is achievable”.

On the back of recent research which shows that as home ownership is the ambition of most people in Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government was determined to help people realise that goal.

“To do so, we will establish a Low-cost Initiative for First Time buyers – LIFT for short. Through LIFT, we aim to expand assistance for first-time buyers through a mix of Government grants, shared equity schemes, and mortgage related products and services.”

Speaking of the proposal to offer local authorities incentives to build new council houses, Ms Sturgeon said:
“This government will ensure that new social housing is safeguarded as a public asset for the benefit of current and future generations of tenants.”

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to abolish Communities Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s changes would end the Right to Buy for new build properties, with the suggested exception of properties being occupied by tenants forced to move permanently as a result of demolition or refurbishment.

Initial estimates suggest that there may be around 10,000-15,000 tenants in this position in future years.