Scotland unveils housing-crisis rescue package
- Published: 26 June 2008 11:47
- Author: Simon Ellery
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- Last Updated: 26 June 2008 13:09
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The Scottish Government has announced plans to tackle the housing credit crunch crisis.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced a £25m fund to help those facing repossession and an expansion of shared equity for first-time buyers.
She also confirmed proposals to end right-to-buy on new social housing and a commitment to increase the rate of housebuilding to 35,000 new homes a year by the middle of the next decade.
She said: "The £25m Homeowners' Support Fund will help those who cannot obtain help from elsewhere to remain in their homes.
Ms Sturgeon added: "Given the critical role of local government in taking forward so much of our agenda, I am particularly pleased by the extent to which Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the government agree on the priorities for action, such as increasing supply across all tenures, creating mixed communities and joint working between councils."
Housebuilding doubts
The Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland welcomed the move, but asked how the government planned to deal with short and medium-term housebuilding slowdown due in the downturn.
Public affairs chief Nick Fletcher said: "In particular, how will the needs of people for affordable housing be met."
