The Scottish government has announced a new Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan to support its commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 – with 10% of these in rural and island areas.
The plan brings together public and private sector working with local communities to deliver more homes where they are needed and to “help drive sustainable economic growth”, the government said.
Commitments from the Scottish government include:
- Supporting affordable and community-led housing delivery;
- Bringing more empty homes back into use;
- Providing more homes for key workers;
- Commissioning research on affordable home ownership in rural and island areas;
- Addressing challenges with construction supply chains, skills and capacity.
Minister for Housing Paul McLennan said: “The Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan includes a range of commitments which will be taken forward with public and private sector partners to deliver the right homes in the right places, generate sustainable local economic growth and help rural and island communities to thrive.
“This plan supports Scotland’s long-term housing strategy Housing to 2040 and will help bolster the commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes up to 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in rural and island areas.
“It has been informed by extensive engagement with a wide range of organisations representing rural and island housing interests.”
Despite the challenges posed by Brexit and high inflation, McLennan said, this plan demonstrates the government’s commitment to “supporting families, communities and businesses“.
As well as this, he said, it demonstrates the Scottish government’s commitment to “unleashing” the full economic potential of Scotland’s rural and island areas through providing more housing.
