A new Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan will support the
Scottish Government’s commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable
homes by 2032, with 10% in rural and island areas.
The plan brings together the public and private sector working
with local communities to deliver more homes where they are
needed and help drive sustainable economic growth.
Commitments include:
- supporting affordable and community-led housing delivery
- bringing more empty homes back into use
- providing more homes for key workers
- commissioning research on affordable home ownership in rural
and island areas
- addressing challenges with construction supply chains, skills
and capacity
Housing Minister said:
“The Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan includes a range of
commitments which will be taken forward with public and private
sector partners to deliver the right homes in the right places,
generate sustainable local economic growth and help rural and
island communities to thrive.
“This plan supports Scotland’s long term housing strategy Housing
to 2040 and will help bolster the commitment to deliver 110,000
affordable homes up to 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent
and 10% in rural and island areas. It has been informed by
extensive engagement with a wide range of organisations
representing rural and island housing interests.
“Despite the challenges we face due to Brexit and high inflation,
this plan demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting
families, communities and businesses, and to unleashing the full
economic potential of our rural and island areas.”
Background
Rural and Islands Housing Action
Plan
The plan recognises that Community-Led Housing plays an important
role in our broad approach to deliver more affordable homes in
rural and island areas.
The Scottish Government recently announced package of financial
support, co-funded with Nationwide Foundation, of up to £960,000
over the period 2023-24 - 2025-26 to support the staff capacity
and expertise across Communities Housing Trust and South of
Scotland Community Housing to take forward affordable housing
projects.
