New parliament brings new opportunities to deliver for social housing sector

With the Scottish Parliament election taking place today, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said that, no matter the outcome of the vote, it will continue to make the case for investment in the social housing sector, holding the next Scottish Government to account regarding its members’ priorities. 

SFHA said that while a new parliament will bring new challenges, there will also be opportunities to work with the next government on key issues such as delivering the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, securing investment for existing homes, tackling poverty and inequality, and combatting the effects of climate change. 

SFHA’s asks for the next Scottish Government include: 

• delivering 53,000 affordable homes, including 37,100 for social rent, between 2021 and 2026 

• at least £3.4 billion investment, to help deliver these homes, which rises with increasing development costs during the next parliament 

• a new government fund for improving and refurbishing existing housing stock 

• increasing fuel poverty and energy efficiency funding to £244 million for 2021/22 

• increasing social landlords’ adaptations funding to £17 million per year 

• a new long-term fund which will enable social landlords, the third sector and communities to work together for those most impacted by the effects of Covid-19. 

SFHA Senior Policy Manager Stacey Dingwall said: “The next parliament will see a new Housing Bill, and while there will be challenges ahead, there will also be opportunities to tackle the key issues for the social housing sector, including delivering new affordable homes, securing investment for our existing housing stock, addressing poverty and inequality, and combatting the effects of climate change. 

“No matter the outcome of today’s vote, SFHA will continue to represent the interests of our members and their tenants and work with the next Scottish Government to ensure investment in our sector.”