Highlanders in desperate need of affordable houses

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 17:59

ABOUT 8,000 new houses need to be built in the Highlands over the next five years to tackle a "chronic and persistent" lack of affordable accommodation.

A study carried out for the Highland area shows that due to high house prices and low incomes less than a third of people in the area seeking to buy a home can afford to do so.

The authority is now drawing up a five-year action plan to seek the views of residents across the region.

The study said around 8,000 new houses need to be built over the next five years. More than half of these need to be affordable.

Officials say if these houses are not built it will lead to increased housing costs, people being unable to live in the area – which could weaken the economy and jeopardise jobs – and more pressure being put on rented housing.

Nairn, Skye and Lochalsh, West Ross and Mid Ross are the areas in greatest need, with Lochaber, Inverness and Badenoch and Strathspey the next most pressured spots.

Highland Council, along with housing associations in the region, have been one of Scotland's most successful providers, making 2,000 new affordable homes available over the last six years.

While private housing developers have also provided some affordable housing on their larger developments, the study says the quality and condition of a lot of privately-owned housing is a concern.

Councillor Margaret Davidson, chairman of the council's housing and social work committee, said: "We want Highland residents to help us decide what action to take. We want to understand what people's priorities are – and what changes they think are needed – so that we can take these on board."

Residents are being urged to take part in a survey that is being carried out online and through community councils, while a series of information days are to be held throughout the area from today.

Last month, the housing and social work committee agreed to bid for funding to reintroduce council house building after a gap of 14 years.