RESPONDING to this afternoon’s draft Scottish Budget announcement – which provided additional funding for affordable housing – the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) welcomed the renewed emphasis on the social and economic benefits of affordable housing investment.
SFHA, chief executive, Dr Mary Taylor, said: “The SFHA welcomes the additional £40m investment in affordable housing announced this afternoon by Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney, to be spent this year.
“We are extremely pleased that recognises the immediate economic and social benefits for Scotland in building more affordable homes.
“We also welcome the Government’s recognition of the benefits of focusing on construction investment.
“SFHA research shows housing association and co-operatives have a large number of ‘shovel-ready’ housing projects which have been ready to go onsite and awaiting of investment decisions, providing jobs and quality housing in diverse communities across Scotland. Many of these may now be able to go ahead.
“Investing in affordable housing is itself a form of preventative spend, helping to prevent costly public interventions, particularly in health.
“As such, I’m also happy there will be focus on preventative spending, including on adult social care.”
Dr Taylor added: “Our third major concern is to tackle fuel poverty, and we hope our members will be able to benefit from the additional £30m which will now be invested in energy efficiency measures.”
Ends
For further information, contact Claire Munro on t: 0141 567 6244 m: 07771926778 or e: cmunro@sfha.co.uk
Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @sfha_hq
Find us on Facebook SFHA – We’re Housing Scotland
NOTES:
- The SFHA was established in 1976 and has around 170 members providing affordable housing and wider community services in Scotland, as well as a further 200 commercial members. The SFHA is owned by its membership and exists to support the work of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland by providing services, advice and good practice guidance.
- The SFHA is the voice of the principal builders and managers of new affordable housing for rent in Scotland. Housing Associations own and manage around 40 per cent of the country’s affordable rented housing stock, over a quarter of a million homes across Scotland.
- Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by the SFHA. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmeidascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Claire Munro
Email: cmunro@sfha.co.uk
Website: http://www.sfha.co.uk
