CIH Scotland response to programme for government

After the announcement of the programme for government CIH Scotland National Director, Callum Chomczuk, commented:

“We welcome the importance the First Minister placed on home in the programme for government. The £3m increase Discretionary Housing Payment money, £10 million tenant hardship fund and further investment in Housing First were particularly welcome as housing professionals seek to support people to maintain their tenancies over the long term and ultimately end homelessness.

But if we are serious about ending our housing crisis and addressing the social and economic problems exposed by COVID-19 then we need an ambitious programme of new social and affordable homes. The assurance that current 50,000 affordable and social housing programme will be completed as soon as possible was welcome, but we need to see the Government commit to at least 53,000 social and affordable homes for the next Parliament.

We recognise decision on the next social and affordable housing programme will be made after the allocation of the capital budget later this year, but if Scotland is to build back better after the pandemic then 53,000 social and affordable homes must be at the centre of our strategy.”