Study leads to £3.4billion investment in Scottish affordable housing
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A study by the University of Liverpool has resulted in the investment of £3.4billion into affordable new homes by the Scottish Government.
Researchers from the Department of Geography & Planning were commissioned by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Shelter Scotland and Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland to undertake research into housing needs in Scotland
They identified the need for 10,600 dwellings per annum, or 53,000 over the period 2021-26 which would require approximately £3.4bn investment.
They also recommended that the geography of housing in Scotland needs to be addressed due to the much larger overall housing need in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow rather than in other parts of Scotland. New affordable housing also needs to reflect the changing demographic structure in Scotland with more accommodation needed for older people.
The study took into consideration the current housing situation, proposed housing projects between 2021 and 2026, the number of households currently in inadequate housing and how that could would increase alongside the projected supply of affordable lettings over the period.
Liverpool planning expert, Dr Richard Dunning, who headed up the project said: “The current pandemic has highlighted the significance of everyone having a high-quality, affordable home to live in. It is incredibly important for health, wellbeing and the economic capabilities of countries in the short and long term. This research has shown that a small increase in Scottish Government funding over the next five years could provide every household in Scotland with an adequate home.”
The study built on previous research from 2015 which led to the Scottish Government making a substantial increase in their funding for affordable housing between 2016 and 2021.
The research was led by the University of Liverpool in partnership with the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Glasgow and the University of Cardiff.