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Scotland’s housing crisis is escalating, according to a senior official from Fife Council. John Mills, the head of housing, highlighted a surge in demand following the Covid-19 pandemic, largely due to increased relationship breakdowns. Speaking on BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show, Mills emphasized the need for the government to take decisive action through large-scale construction, increased home purchases, and the reduction of empty properties in both public and private sectors. The Scottish government acknowledged the severity of the situation by declaring a national housing emergency in May of last year, committing to investing up to £4.9bn in affordable housing over the next four years.
Despite some positive indicators in Fife, the housing outlook remains bleak in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. Mills cautioned that addressing the housing crisis would be a long and arduous process, emphasizing the absence of quick fixes. Pre-pandemic trends of rising homelessness have only been exacerbated by various challenges, including the escalating cost of living and significant construction inflation. As Mills highlighted, the demand for temporary accommodation has surged post-pandemic, alongside a steady increase in homelessness and a notable influx of individuals seeking housing in the private rental sector.
In response to the housing emergency, Housing Minister Màiri McAllan introduced a national action plan that Mills deemed a promising step forward. However, a forthcoming report is expected to call for the construction of 15,000 affordable homes annually, amounting to an estimated cost of £8.2bn over the next parliamentary term. Reflecting on the unsustainable nature of borrowing for new properties from tenant rents, Mills stressed the need for a fundamental shift in the housing finance system. The affordability crisis was highlighted by the story of Elle Glenny in Glasgow’s Govanhill, where soaring rents have placed a severe burden on residents like herself.
The declaration of a housing emergency by the Scottish government last year underscored the urgent need to address the housing shortage, especially in social housing. With demand outstripping supply across various housing categories, steps need to be taken to mitigate rising rents and the affordability challenge facing many individuals. Emphasizing the critical role of social housing in tackling homelessness, reports suggest a pressing need to build over 15,000 new affordable homes annually in Scotland. Campaigners and experts advocate for a substantial increase in social housing construction as the most effective solution to the housing crisis, given the record-high numbers of households experiencing homelessness and living in temporary accommodation
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