DUMFRIES and Galloway Council has been shortlisted for its innovative approach to tackling the housing emergency in the region.
Selected as one of just six finalists in these UK-wide Municipal Journal Awards, officials will now present their ‘One Council + Communities + Partners x Creativity = Better Housing’ approach to a judging panel later this month.
Although the council has no housing stock, housing is a key issue in its council plan.
Since declaring a housing emergency last year, all council directorates have increased efforts to develop ideas, solutions and build on positive approaches to housing, across all tenures – private, social and community.
Judges recognised this approach as ‘unique’, with the submission highlighting its work on community regeneration masterplanning.
The judges particularly highlighted the Lochside Dumfries Community Asset Transfer with four properties transferred into community ownership, resulting in community-led affordable housing; as well as the approach to Ukrainian resettlement, which saw empty properties brought up to standard to make new homes for the refugees.
Council leader Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “I’m delighted that the work across our council and within communities has been recognised at UK level – to be one of just five finalists in this category demonstrates how committed our council is to working with partners and communities, and that with a little bit of creativity we are tackling our housing emergency.
“My congratulations go to everyone involved and I wish them well for the final.
“This could not have been achieved without genuine partnership working between our council and our strategic partners, and importantly with community-based organisations that have worked tirelessly to develop new housing within their communities.
“Our region is stronger and better because of our partnership approach to enabling communities to achieve their great ideas. Although we do of course hope the entry will win overall, to have reached this stage is a tremendous achievement in itself.”
The other finalists are: Gravesham Borough Council, London Borough of Haringey, Royal London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
