Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has announced plans to establish a national housing agency to increase home construction in Scotland.
Speaking on the proposed plans, he stated that the agency — More Homes Scotland — would provide affordable housing speedily.
Swinney revealed the agency would begin operations in 2027-2028 if the SNP is re-elected after the Holyrood election in May.
Following shortages in social housing, rising homelessness, and increasing property prices, ministers have declared a national emergency in 2024 promising to invest up to £4.9bn in affordable homes over the next four years.
The agency will prioritise large-scale affordable housing projects, housing in rural and island communities, land acquisition, and the infrastructure required for stalled development sites.
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The Scottish government said it will provide an update to the Scottish Parliament in March and aims for the agency to be fully operational by the 2028–29 financial year.
“A new national agency will mean less duplication, greater expertise, increased efficiencies, and making our substantial investment go further,” Swinney said.
Speaking on the benefits and strategies to be employed, he said: “It will also provide enhanced support to our local authority partners and we will work in partnership with the Scottish National Investment Bank to attract more commercial investment.
“It is a new body that will offer simplicity, scale and speed – boosting delivery, and maximising savings, as part of our commitment to a decade of public sector modernisation and reform.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative housing spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher argued that “Scotland is in the grip of a housing emergency because of the SNP’s appalling failure to deliver the homes we have needed over the last two decades.
“Yet John Swinney’s latest plan is to set up another quango that won’t even be fully up and running for another two years.”
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