Scotland’s Chief Statistician yesterday released Social Tenants in Scotland 2015, a new Official Statistics publication that presents an overview of social tenants and social rented housing in Scotland for the year 2015 covering topic areas such as stock, household characteristics, housing flows, and rents and income levels. Continue reading Social tenants in Scotland: latest statistics published
New budgeting support for Universal Credit claimants
Money Advice Service’s Online Money Manager is an interactive tool that offers personalised advice on making the most of your money while you’re on Universal Credit. It offers help and advice on a range of money topics including opening a bank account, keeping on top of bills and dealing with debt.
Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has urged ministers to consider stronger regulations to address problems caused by a sharp rise in properties available for short-term rent.
Mr Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, highlighted that a number of his Edinburgh constituents have been affected by the growth of the sector.
He said: “We are looking at a situation where the residential population in parts of Edinburgh may substantially disappear within the next decade. One constituent has had very audible sex parties taking place in the flat above him. An elderly couple are now living out the rest of their years in a tenement stair that has lost all of its permanent residents.
“Others are living with young families in a state of stress and anxiety due to the rent-seeking behaviour of a growing number of property owners. It’s disappointing that the Housing Minister says he has no plans to tighten regulation of residential property use.
“We should look at the planning system and use class orders to ensure that communities and councils have the tools they need to regulate the residential character of the city centres and many rural villages affected.” Continue reading Wightman urges better regulation of short-term lets
Views sought for planning modernisation
Plans for major changes to the Scottish planning system have been published. Planning Minister Kevin Stewart launched the consultation during a visit to the Pennywell regeneration development yesterday.
The Scottish Government has set out 20 proposals for revamping the system, which will support economic growth, delivery of houses and increase community involvement in planning decisions. They form a consultation which will pave the way for a planning bill to be brought forward this year.
The proposals build on recommendations of an independent review carried out by a panel of experts last year. Key changes include zoning more land for housing, promoting self-build and removing the need to apply for planning permission for more types of development. The consultation also seeks views on new rights for communities to produce their own plans for their local area.
The Pennywell project will deliver 719 new energy efficient homes for the area with 356 properties for affordable rent and 363 for private sale, and has been a catalyst for wider regeneration through providing infrastructure improvements, local investment, local jobs, training opportunities and community engagement.
Speaking during his visit to the development , Mr Stewart said: “Planning affects everyone’s lives, from making sure we have the right types of homes to driving forward regeneration.
“We need a strong and efficient system to support these aims and for long-term economic growth. I believe these proposals will mean we are better placed to make high quality development happen sooner and in the right places.
“I firmly believe that Scotland’s planners can lead the delivery of great places, empower communities and provide a stable environment for investment through the uncertain times we live in. I would encourage everyone with an interest in planning – developers and businesses, professionals and local authorities, communities and members of the public – to tell us what they think of our proposals for change.”
The consultation, “Places, people and planning” runs until Tuesday 4 April, and can be accessed at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/planning-architecture/a-consultation-on-the-future-of-planning
Grants of £1.65m to help homeless and vulnerable people
Continue reading “Wonderful news”: £1.65 million to support homelessness projects
MHA is out of high engagement Continue reading Christmas comes early for Muirhouse Housing Association
Residents at a sheltered and owner occupied housing complex in Comely Bank were treated to a special lunch to celebrate a major anniversary in the history of the site recently. Continue reading Celebrations at Carlyle Court
West Edinburgh is set for a housing boost after the City of Edinburgh Council signed a contract with Keepmoat for a £35m housing-led regeneration project in North Sighthill.
Housing and care services are in crisis. Can local community co-operatives help to meet local needs?
These are questions for a ‘radical’ new community project in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Side by Side aims to explore how we can learn from each other and work together to create positive practical change in our local neighbourhood.
Housing, environment and care of the young and elderly were the top concerns to emerge from two community Open Space events in the last 12 months. The first event identified the needs; the second came up with bold ideas to fill gaps in local services – including housing and childcare co-operatives
Now Side by Side aims to take the next step with The Gathering, at Norton Park Conference Centre on Saturday 3 December. And this time the event will start by celebrating the successes and achievements of local groups who are already changing lives.
‘Through our events we discovered fantastic creative enterprises in Edinburgh Northern and Leith,’ says Fay Young, one of the organisers, ‘But not everyone knows about them. We hope to learn from each other to build on what is here already and generate new ideas to enhance quality of life in our area.’
Keynote speaker Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, will set the tone of an event which seeks to ‘share best practice and build on local achievements’. A panel of experts from Pilton Community Health Project, Port of Leith Housing Association, Shrub Swap and Reuse Hub and North Edinburgh Childcare will also provide first hand accounts of successful community enterprises and projects.
Workshop discussions and outcomes will be led and decided by the audience and facilitated by Judith Chivers. Proposals put forward by The Gathering will contribute to a community manifesto for our neighbourhood in time for the local authority elections in May 2017.
Side by Side has grown from two Open Space community discussion events hosted by Councillor Lesley Hinds, in December 2015 and April 2016. Local organisations and residents were invited to explore how we might make use of new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to improve life in our part of Edinburgh.
Councillor Hinds who is standing down after 33 years on City of Edinburgh Council said: ‘I promised to turn words into action and that is what The Gathering aims to do. My colleagues will ensure this is taken forward”.
Side by Side is a community project open to all. The Gathering will be introduced and hosted by Labour Councillors for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and is supported by Leith Open Space, an intercultural community discussion group formed in 2005.
Edinburgh based Selah Corbin, a cinematic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work has been likened to “paintings that come alive” will provide the music and a light lunch of delicious food from Punjabi Junction will be served.
To take part, book now on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/side-by-side-edinburgh-northern-and-leith-gathering-tickets-28336222404?aff=es2
and follow Facebook.com/SBSGathering and http://www.edinburghlabournorthernandleith.org.uk/ for updates.
For further information please contact Marion Donaldson councillormariondonaldson@gmail.com
The Agnes Hunter Trust has agreed the sale of their complete portfolio of 92 properties in Lorne Street to Places for People Scotland, ensuring all residents can stay in their homes. Continue reading Homes secured for Lorne Street residents
