THE chairman of Scottish Homes, Sir James Mellon, said yesterday that
housing association were setting standards for public and private
housebuilding.
Sir James was speaking at the opening in Glasgow, of an exhibition, by
the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, to mark National
Housing Week. ''The kind of housing you are building is without doubt
the very best in Scotland, and sets the standard that Scots ought to
demand,'' he said.
They were also providing commitment towards solving the housing
problem, and providing choice, particularly for the mentally handicapped
and elderly. Housing associations were doing much more than getting
value for money -- they were setting an example.
Mr John Scott, vice chairman of SFHA, said that the achievements of
housing associations and co-operatives had demonstrated that they were
equal to the challenge of improving housing conditions, and meeting real
housing needs.
The Government wanted to see the work of associations and
co-operatives expand and develop, but it wanted more for its money -- a
15% increase in output for the same level of investment this year.
''The real challenge is for the Government, through Scottish Homes, to
allow associations and co-operatives to improve conditions and provide
houses, at rents which are affordable to traditional client groups,'' he
said.
Mr Scott said the chief executive of Scottish Homes had been quoted as
saying that rents would have to rise to ''a realistic level.'' The
SFHA's ''Who do we house?'' survey in 1987 showed that more than half
the households interviewed had a net income of less than #60 a week.
He went on: ''Scottish Homes has yet to give us the confidence that
their desire to ensure maximum output, for the level of investment
available, will not result in a numbers' game. What is required is
investment that not only provides the quality, but at a cost that those
who are in greatest housing need, can afford.''
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