COUNCIL HOUSE CASH SHOWS COMMITMENT TO HOUSING.

COUNCIL HOUSE CASH SHOWS COMMITMENT TO HOUSING.

RECORD FUNDING FOR PRESSURE AREAS.

The SNP has today welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to council housing with the announcement of £17 million of Government support for 970 new homes across Scotland.

Key areas of housing pressure will receive significant funding with £9.2 million being dispersed across Edinburgh and the Lothians to build 672 new homes.

Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville welcomed the support for the Lothians

“Housing is a real issue in Edinburgh and the Lothians with a shortage of accommodation and significant pressure on the council housing that is already available.

“672 new homes in Edinburgh and Lothians will have a positive impact on housing in the region.

“Ending the right to buy on new build council homes has given councils the freedom to begin building social housing again.

“In contrast to this support from the SNP it remains disappointing that Labour refuse to right off the housing debts of local authorities – brought about by the imposition of right to buy. When Alasdair Darling can bail out the banks he should look strongly at supporting Scotland’s councils.”

Livingston MSP Angela Constance added;

“After only 6 council houses were built in the Labour years this funding will deliver 970 new homes, on top of those council’s are already building themselves.

“That West Lothian has won over £2.4 million of funding for 248 homes is a real recognition of the work the council has put in to bringing housing back onto the agenda and to meeting the challenges of our ever expanding population.

“Too often housing concerns are focussed on our cities. This funding shows the SNP Government recognises the need for housing across the country, whether in urban areas like West Lothian or rural parts of Aberdeenshire.

“Affordable good quality housing is essential and the SNP is delivering better housing across Scotland.”

ENDS

1. The successful local authorities are as follows:
* Aberdeenshire - 850,000 pounds for 34 homes
* Edinburgh - 1.675 million pounds for 67 homes
* East Lothian - 2.625 million pounds for 105 homes
* Falkirk - 750,000 pounds for 30 homes
* Fife - 875,000 pounds for 35 homes
* Midlothian - 2.520 million pounds for 252 homes
* Moray - 1 million pounds for 40 homes
* North Ayrshire - 575,000 pounds for 23 homes
* North Lanarkshire - 1 million pounds for 40 homes
* Orkney - 450,000 pounds for 18 homes
* Perth and Kinross - 650,000 pounds for 26 homes
* South Lanarkshire - 850,000 pounds for 34 homes
* Stirling - 600,000 pounds for 24 homes
* West Lothian - 2.480 million pounds for 248 homes