Affordable homes programme must be top priority in Scottish Budget
SFHA also calls on Scottish Government to provide cost of living support.
Ahead of next week’s Scottish Budget, SFHA has said reversing last year’s hammer-blow cut to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme must be the Scottish Government’s top priority.
In the first Scottish Budget since the declaration of a national housing emergency, SFHA has called on Ministers to honour their commitment to prioritise the affordable housing budget following an additional £3.4billion in funding for Holyrood in the wake of October’s UK Budget.
As well as an increase in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to provide much-needed new social homes, SFHA has also urged the government to deliver a budget which supports Scotland’s social tenants.
Among steps the Scottish Government can take to support tenants includes reopening the Homeless Prevention Fund and providing a form of cost-of-living support which can replace the loss of the Fuel Insecurity Fund.
Beyond just cost-of-living support, it’s essential that tenants are supported to live well in their homes, which is why SFHA has also urged government to address the £20million shortfall in the aids and adaptations budget. In addition to further funding, the process must also be reformed to make applications simpler.
Supporting housing associations and co-operatives to fulfil their role as community anchors is also crucial, and SFHA has therefore called for the government to guarantee full funding for the Investing in Communities Fund in 2025-2026.
The Scottish Budget will be delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison MSP, on Wednesday 4 December. SFHA will issue a full briefing to members shortly afterwards on what the Budget means for you and your tenants.