LESS talking and more action is required to address the housing emergency in Dumfries and Galloway, a councillor insisted this week.
Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward demanded that Dumfries and Galloway Council puts pressure on the Scottish Government for a slice of the extra £1.5 billion that Holyrood ministers have received from the UK Government this financial year.
The Labour Councillor argues that this cash is desperately needed to solve the housing crisis in the region where there is a drastic shortage of properties – with nearly 700 cases of homeless people being sent to B&Bs last year.
That heavy reliance on bed and breakfasts has also resulted in Dumfries and Galloway Council committing 318 breaches of government rules on accommodation standards.
Speaking at the council’s economy and resources committee on Tuesday, Councillor Dorward said that funding for housing had been cut in recent years. With additional cash now in the coffers at Holyrood, she argued that housing finances should be reinstated.
Councillor Dorward said: “In June this year, full council declared a housing emergency after a motion proposed by my colleague, Councillor Stevenson.
“We’ve had a 34 percent increase in the level of people in temporary – i.e. bed and breakfast – accommodation.
“It’s the highest in our history and has been reported as a systemic failure to the SHR (Scottish Housing Regulator).
“There’s been a 21 percent increase in homeless people aswell.”
Council housing chiefs have been working on a plan to tackle the housing emergency and a seminar on this issue is scheduled for January 2025.
However, Councillor Dorward wants to see immediate action now that extra cash is available, rather than waiting to discuss proposals two months from now.
She stressed: “I get that the plan is there, and that’s fantastic, but it’s actually about positive action to reverse this trend.
“I’m not saying it’s not a good plan because it is, but if you don’t have the funding behind it, it’s really challenging to build housing in Dumfries and Galloway.”
Councillor Dorward then urged her fellow councillors on the committee to join forces and lobby the Scottish Government, calling for a cut of its additional funding to help build more social homes in the region.
This was agreed by the committee and housing officers will work with councillors to prepare a letter to be sent to the Scottish Government.
