Scotland’s housing crisis has been brought into focus as the UK Government has announced it wants to see one million homes built across England by 2020 to tackle the problem there.
With Scotland facing the same challenges, we must have similar ambition. The number of new homes built has fallen by 40 per cent since 2007 and numerous reports highlight the requirement for hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next 20 years to meet the diverse needs of our growing population.
Achieving this, however, requires the necessary support to be in place to increase delivery across all tenures. Crucial, for example, is an efficient and responsive planning system which facilitates housing delivery. Whilst this is being considered by the recently announced independent panel undertaking a root-and-branch review, time is of the essence. Action on infrastructure, skills and access to finance for both buyers and builders is also vital.
Only through such joined up policy-making will we ever be able to ensure Scots have access to the wide range of quality housing options they deserve.
Philip Hogg,
Chief Executive,
Homes for Scotland,
5 New Mart Place, Edinburgh.
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