A FIVE-year plan is “desperately needed” in Dumfries and Galloway to properly address the region’s housing crisis, a councillor has argued.
North West Dumfries Councillor Paula Stevenson, pictured, insists that longer term planning is essential.
She said: “Right now in our region 845 families are waiting for specialist housing and 546 families are overcrowded. Over 3000 households have some sort of existing needs across all recorded categories.
“These figures are repeated right throughout Scotland and it’s a damning indictment of a Scottish Government that hasn’t been on top of the housing sector, either by building more affordable homes, supporting RSL and private landlords or by investing the right amount in aids and adaptations.
“There are many communities waiting for houses to be built but with a one year funding model that’s slashed and then reinstated it makes for a volatile environment, meaning delivery of housing can be erratic.
“Councils desperately need five-year funding so that modern, fit for purpose housing can be built in a more productive manner.
“The housing crisis is systemic but we need to get this right so people aren’t homeless, overcrowded or feel like a prisoner in their own homes.”
