After years of calls from SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, , the empty Ministry of
Defence homes in Edinburgh are set to be utilised to help tackle
the housing shortage.
The local MSP has been calling for the housing to be used
for several years, he has previously raised the issue
in the Scottish Parliament and has written to numerous UK
government Defence secretaries requesting the empty MoD homes in
Edinburgh be used to help homeless people across the city.
In 2021, it was revealed that nearly 11,000 MoD homes were empty
across the UK, with 900 unused in Scotland – a number that has
barely changed in years. These homes have been left empty for
years instead of being put to good use for those in
need.
Commenting SNP MSP said:
"I am delighted to see the empty MoD homes in Edinburgh will
now be put to good use. This very welcome news is not before
time.
"It was never right that so many homes were left lying empty
which is why I have long been calling for them to be used to help
people whose lives would benefit from being housed in the
properties.
"I hope that this news now translates into action quickly so that
we can have as many people living in safe and warm homes as
possible."
ENDS
NOTES
Edinburgh's housing
crisis: Edinburgh council to buy surplus homes from Ministry of
Defence
