Only one home for key workers has been approved in North Ayrshire, raising concerns about housing shortages for essential workers
North Ayrshire: So, it turns out that the Scottish Government’s plan to build affordable homes for key workers isn’t going as smoothly as hoped. They kicked off this initiative in 2023 to tackle the housing crunch for essential workers, but guess what? Only 17 homes have been approved across the whole country so far.
These homes are supposed to help councils and social landlords support workers in crucial roles, like those in emergency services. But according to housing minister Paul McLennan, North Ayrshire has just one approved home. The rest? They’re scattered across places like the Highland Council area, Orkney, and Moray.
McLennan did mention that the scheme is “demand-led,” and they’re chatting about possibly adding more homes. But Tim Eagle, the Scottish Tory rural affairs spokesman, isn’t holding back. He’s calling out the SNP for neglecting rural Scotland’s housing needs, saying the progress has been painfully slow.
He’s baffled that only 17 homes have come from a £25 million scheme, and he believes this failure is hurting the local economy. In response, McLennan acknowledged that good quality, affordable housing is vital for attracting and keeping people in rural areas. He pointed to a budget allocation of £768 million for affordable housing, aiming to deliver 110,000 homes by 2032, with at least 10% in rural areas.
He emphasized that funds like the rural and islands housing fund are crucial for tackling specific housing issues in these communities. So, while there’s a plan in place, it seems like there’s a long way to go before key workers get the homes they need.
