Statement from Regional Networks regarding Housing to 2040
Colin Stewart, a spokesperson for the Regional Networks said our members supported the Housing to 2040 vision when it was published, it was and still remains an admirable long-term plan.
However, the housing landscape like so much else has changed drastically over the last few years and the priority must be to respond to the current housing emergency we face. At present the emphasis and funding must go to providing many more new homes. That must be the focus along with ensuring standards of our existing homes is met.
To do this in these difficult economic times will be hugely challenging and is made even more difficult by the reduction in the affordable housing budget. Tenants cannot be expected to fund this work through large rent increases, the funding must come on a national basis from government.
As tenants, we welcome the aspiration of the Scottish Housing Net Zero Standard for Scotland but consider that in the current context, it is imperative to take a measured approach to this which takes account of the challenges we are facing across the piece and allow for a more cohesive strategy to be put in place for the social housing sector to address the challenges we face.