A NEW South of Scotland Housing Action Plan has been launched to help tackle the urgent need for more homes in the region.
It includes ten tangible actions to be carried out over the next two years, with the aim of attracting more people to work and live here, allowing young people to stay and growing the local construction sector.
The plan – created by the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership (REP) – looks to build on work already happening to support housing in the region’s local authorities, businesses, Registered Social Landlords and communities.
It involved engagement with over 50 local and national organisations, with business and community representatives advising that action was needed.
Issues include the average cost of a new two-bed home being over £100,000 more expensive in rural places such as the South than the national average.
Between 2011 and 2020, there was a 60 per cent drop in new homes for sale compared to the previous decade locally, as well as a 40 per cent drop in active SME house builders in the region.
And there’s an expectation that over 9000 new homes maybe required in the next ten years in the South.
Amongst the actions set out is a commitment to develop proposals to significantly increase construction skills provision, as well as plans to create new student and key worker accommodation.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan was at Tuesday’s launch in Hawick. He said: “The South of Scotland Housing Action Plan and the partnership work that underpins it is a key step in our collaborative response to the housing pressures facing the region.
“As recognised in the plan, housing plays an important role in promoting economic growth and is a key enabler to making the change that we want to see in our rural and island economies.
“Across the local authorities within the South of Scotland we will make available over £27million from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2024-25, helping to deliver much needed affordable homes.
“I look forward to working with stakeholders and partners on delivering the actions set out in the plan and delivering more affordable homes for people in the South of Scotland.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Cllr Gail Macgregor is chair of the REP and added: “The launch of the new South of Scotland Housing Action Plan is an important milestone in addressing the challenges for housing and homes in the South of Scotland.
“The plan provides a clear path to develop skills and grow the economy across the region, supporting some of the fantastic work already underway.
“I look forward to seeing the actions being delivered over the next two years.”
