SFHA says affordable homes funding must be passed onto Scotland as it voices concerns over social security cuts

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations has called for increased investment in Scotland’s affordable homes programme and voiced ‘serious concerns’ over social security cuts following the Spring Statement. 

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, announced a £2billion boost for social and affordable housing in England, which is set to represent a down-payment of a larger funding settlement in the Spending Review in June. 

SFHA has said that if there any Barnett Formula Consequentials as a result of this announcement, that the funding must be reinvested into Scotland’s affordable homes programme. 

It comes after Scottish Government figures this week revealed the number of homes built by housing associations in Scotland last year had fallen by over a quarter. 

SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: “With the number of homes built by housing associations falling by a quarter last year, the latest Scottish Government statistics again underline the scale of our national housing emergency. 

“We note the additional £2billion in funding set out by the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Statement for affordable housing in England. If there are any Barnett Consequentials for Scotland as a result of this announcement, then it simply must be invested in Scotland’s affordable homes programme.” 

“Following the Chancellor’s Spending Review in June, we also need to see the UK and Scottish Government commit to a multi-year funding settlement for Scotland’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.” 

The Chancellor’s Spring Statement was dominated by an announcement on cuts to social security after the Office for Budget Responsibility halved the UK’s growth forecast this year to one percent.  

It is as yet unclear if these will be passed on to devolved social security in Scotland. 

Responding to the £5billion in social security cuts, SFHA said it had serious concerns they would condemn the most vulnerable in society to greater levels of poverty 

Sally Thomas added: “Housing associations are already on the frontline of mitigating some of the worst effects of our underfunded and poorly-designed social security system, they know from experience the severe damage cuts have on social tenants. 

“We need a social security system that provides an essential safety net for those who need it most, with dignity at its heart. Plunging more disabled people into deeper hardship is likely to lead to health conditions worsening and people being less able to engage with support, training and trying to return to work where and if they can.”