Help Shelter Scotland to #BuildScotlandsFuture

The #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign is calling on the Scottish Government to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament.
Affordable homes...Shelter Scotland's #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign is calling for a commitment to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament.
 (Pic Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)Affordable homes...Shelter Scotland's #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign is calling for a commitment to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament.
 (Pic Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)
Affordable homes...Shelter Scotland's #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign is calling for a commitment to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament. (Pic Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)

Shelter Scotland is asking the public to back the campaign in light of the latest quarterly housing statistics, which show that coronavirus majorly impacted the construction of affordable homes between March and June 2020.

The Scottish Government has delivered nearly 96,000 affordable homes since 2007, with more than 66,000 of these for social rent.

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In the four years to 2018-19, Scotland delivered over 80 per cent more affordable homes per head of population than in both England and Wales.

However, more needs to be done to stay on track.

Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland director, said: “The Scottish Government deserves credit for its commitment to building a record number of social homes over the course of this parliament.

“We recognise coronavirus has slowed progress towards that target.

“But now’s the time to increase our ambition again and put social housing at the heart of Scotland’s recovery.

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“An ambitious programme of social housebuilding will boost our economy, create jobs and prevent people from becoming homeless as a result of the pandemic.

“That’s why we’re asking the public to back our #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign, calling for a commitment to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament.”

The annual number of affordable homes approved and started has increased in Scotland, despite lockdown.

Quarterly Housing Statistics for April to June 2020 show that 12,276 affordable homes were approved, an increase of 1436 homes (13 per cent) on the previous year.

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Over the same period, 10,701 homes were started, an increase of 186 homes on 2019.

The statistics also include figures on all-sector new housebuilding, with a total of 22,386 homes built in 2019, an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year and the highest number of homes built since 2007.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “There is no doubt that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the construction sector.

“Lockdown meant nearly a third of the year saw little to no activity able to take place and a necessary pause in the delivery of affordable homes.

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“However, we remain committed to delivering the homes that Scotland needs.

“Our focus now is to get on with the job and to do it safely.

“Backed by a commitment of more than £3.5 billion, we are delivering more good quality, secure and affordable homes.”

To lend the campaign your support, visit act.scotland.shelter.org.uk/build-scotlands-future.

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