Tag: social housing

Foysol Choudhury MSP: “Too many Scots live in dangerous housing”

Speaking after his Members’ Business Debate on Damp Housing in Scotland at the Scottish Parliament last week (20/04/23), Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died after exposure to extensive mould in his home in England, was a stark warning of the dangers that mould can cause when not dealt with properly.  

“That’s why it was so important for me to bring this Members’ Business Debate to the Scottish Parliament, to highlight that we must act now to stop preventable deaths like Awaab’s from occurring in Scotland. 

“Unfortunately, too many Scottish residents today live in dangerous housing.  

“The Scottish Government’s recent House Condition Survey supposedly found that 40,000 homes in our nation fall below tolerable standards, with a third of these being due to rising or penetrating damp.  

“Given there are on average two people per household, that’s 80,000 Scottish residents living in homes that their own Government considers to be intolerable, with 27,000 of these due to damp.  

“One of my constituents lives with their partner and four children in a council house in Edinburgh.  

“Two of the children have asthma, which has gotten worse, and another has developed a constant hacking cough as a result of damp and mould.  

“My constituent has told me they fear for their children because of their prolonged exposure to mould and has even had to call an ambulance at one point due to their child having severe chest pains. 

“The ambulance report actually cited mould as an environmental factor at their property.  

“Another of my constituents has been living in a mould infested house for 16 months with their 21-month-old son, leading to a disastrous effect on their mental health.  

“Many constituents are left feeling helpless and like nothing is being done to ensure they have permanent, safe accommodation.

“Negligent behaviour of private landlords must be tackled, especially as almost half of private-sector-rented homes in Scotland supposedly failed the Scottish Housing Quality Standards. 

“The experience of my constituents, who have had to move out of their privately rented accommodation because of fears the effects of damp and mould would have on their very young child, speaks for itself.  

“Letting agents and private landlords must ensure tenants are aware of the ways in which mould and damp occurs and how to prevent it.

“In addition, landlords should not be renting out houses or flats that need structural repairs to avoid mould forming.  

“Ultimately, housing providers should be held responsible for ensuring that the accommodation they provide is clean and safe for every resident or tenant that moves in there.  

“The Scottish Government need to do more to help them and hold them accountable when crucial repair work is not being done properly.  

“How many trips to the hospital, long-term illnesses, or deaths caused by damp housing is it going to take for the Scottish Government to take this seriously?  

“I am asking for the Scottish Government to consider setting up a grant scheme to tackle dampness problems in council, housing association and private sector properties. We need to address both the long and short-term problems with damp housing and consider extra investment for a whole house retrofitting programme, across Scotland.

“Too many of our citizens are living in dangerous accommodation and landlords are getting away with doing nothing about it.  

“We, as the Scottish Parliament, have to do more. “

Ensuring everyone has a home that meets their needs

Delivering Housing to 2040

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Increasing and accelerating housing supply, tackling homelessness, ending rough sleeping and progressing Scotland’s 20-year housing plan are key priorities for Housing Minister Paul McLennan.

On his first public visit as Housing Minister, Mr McLennan visited the Letham Mains housing development in Haddington and saw first-hand how Scottish Government funding is supporting local councils and housing associations to deliver energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of communities across Scotland.

Outlining his priorities, Mr McLennan said: “My aim is for everyone to have a warm, safe, affordable home that meets their needs and these 37 new social rented homes in Haddington by East Lothian Council, supported by £2.2 million of Scottish Government funding, will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the new residents.

“Housing to 2040 sets out the vision for what we want Scotland’s homes and communities to look like. That includes ensuring people have access to green space and essential services, and putting an end to fuel poverty and homelessness.  

“Scotland has led the way in delivering affordable housing across the UK, with more than 118,000 homes delivered since 2007 and we are committed to delivering on our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be available for social rent and 10% will be in our remote, rural and island communities.

“I am well aware of the global issues affecting construction which are impacting housing delivery. I am confident, however, that with the continued support of our partners we can achieve our shared goal of delivering more affordable homes for the people of Scotland.

“Scotland has the strongest rights for homeless households in the UK and we are looking to strengthen these further – taking steps to reduce stays in temporary accommodation, eradicate rough sleeping and prevent homelessness from happening in the first place.

“We are also taking steps to make the right to an adequate home a reality, tackle high rents and increase stability for those in the private rented sector and give local authorities the tools they need to improve access to housing in their local areas.

“I look forward to working with all partners in the coming months as we redouble our efforts to support a robust and strong housing system for now and the future.”

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Housing and Property Maintenance, Councillor Andy Forrest, said: “I was pleased to welcome the Housing Minister to this latest phase of the wider development at Letham Mains, which is providing 800 much-needed new homes for this area including affordable housing and, of course, the new Letham Mains Primary School.

“Letham also includes a local centre, community facilities and transport links. This site forms part of the council’s general commitment to build almost 2,000 new affordable homes between now and the financial year 2026/27.

“East Lothian Council is fully committed to preventing and tackling homelessness and welcomes continued engagement with the Scottish Government, and now with our new Minister, to jointly address housing issues and pressures specific to East Lothian.”

Tommy Stirling, Production Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland adds: “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to meet the new Housing Minister, Paul McLennan, during his visit to Letham Mains.

“We are proud of our long and established relationship with East Lothian Council, which has and continues to deliver much-needed affordable homes locally at Letham Mains, Haddington.  This visit was a great opportunity for the Minister to see first-hand the high-quality affordable homes that we are building.”

Housing to 2040 is Scotland’s long-term strategy for housing. It was developed following extensive engagement with the housing sector, wider stakeholders and the public, and sets out a vision for what th eScottish Government wants Scotland’s homes and communities to look like by the end of 2040.

housing-2040Download

Regulator highlights considerable pressure on councils’ services for people experiencing homelessness

A new report by the Scottish Housing Regulator highlights that some councils are finding it increasingly difficult to fully meet their statutory duties on homelessness, particularly providing temporary accommodation to people experiencing homelessness.

The report highlights that councils are making considerable efforts in very challenging circumstances to deliver effective services and some have had success in moving toward an approach with rapid rehousing at its centre. 

The Regulator also found that there is an emerging risk of systemic failure in their homelessness services. 

The report sets out three main strategic challenges facing councils in providing services to people experiencing homelessness: dealing with the number of people in temporary accommodation; maintaining an adequate supply of temporary accommodation; and ensuring homeless people have sufficient access to permanent housing. 

John Jellema, Assistant Director Of Regulation, said: “Some councils are finding it increasingly difficult to meet these challenges, and so to fully meet their statutory duties. This includes difficulties in ensuring that people with particular equality characteristics – such as single women and children – have temporary accommodation options that meet their needs.

“There are actions councils can and should take to respond to these challenges, and there are other improvements to services they can make. All councils should continue best efforts to meet their statutory obligations.

“The Scottish Government has put in place a wide range of policy actions aimed at achieving the goal of ending homelessness in Scotland. Having said that, the Scottish Government may need to consider what further urgent measures it can take to support councils to respond to the immediate challenges they face in delivering services for people who are homeless.”

Read the Regulator’s thematic inquiry report on homelessness services in Scotland.

Shelter Scotland has responded to yesterday’s report by the Scottish Housing Regulator, outlining the emerging risk of systematic failure within local authority homelessness services, particularly in securing temporary and permanent accommodation.

The report supports Shelter Scotland’s continued messaging that Scotland is in a housing emergency, and that the supply of more social homes must be prioritised by the Scottish Government. 

It shows that councils are making considerable efforts in very challenging circumstances to provide homelessness services, however, are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their statutory duties in the provision of temporary and permanent accommodation. 

The report highlights three major strategic challenges councils are facing: dealing with the significant numbers of people currently in temporary accommodation; maintaining a sufficient supply of appropriate temporary accommodation; and ensuring access to the number of permanent homes that are needed.

The report calls on the Scottish Government to consider what further urgent measures it can take to support councils to respond to the challenges they face in delivering services for people who are homeless. 

It also notes that some households do not always receive a service that meets their specific needs, further demonstrating that the system is broken and biased. 

In its Scottish Housing Emergency Action Plan last year, Shelter Scotland outlined three key priorities as the most critical to tackle the housing emergency: buy and build 38,500 social homes by 2026, fully fund local authority homelessness services and guarantee the right to a permanent home for every household.

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “The Scottish Government know how to fix homelessness and the wider housing emergency in Scotland.

“As indicated in this report, an adequate supply of permanent, affordable housing provided by councils and RSLs is vital in ending homelessness.

“Over the years they have been presented with endless evidence and testimony that investing in social housing ends homelessness, tackles child poverty and is crucial in fighting the housing emergency. Yet, they are choosing to look the other way as thousands of families continue to struggle. 

“If ever there was a clearer message from the sector that the time to act is now, this is it. The Scottish Government must recognise that its choices to ignore the housing emergency will have devasting consequences for the fight against homelessness.”

homelessness-services-in-scotland-a-thematic-review-february-2023Download

Choudhury: Urgent action needed to tackle housing crisis

“Housing concerns make up over a quarter of my casework – the Scottish Government urgently needs to start prioritising housing for Scotland”

Over the past year, housing issues have made up a significant amount of my casework – currently, approximately 25% of casework is concerned with housing issues (writes Labour Lothian list MSP FOYSUL CHOUDHURY).

Most housing issues that constituents are writing to me about relate to the lack of suitable council accommodation, with many having to live in temporary accommodation.

Recently, a coroner reported that the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak was a direct result of the black mould in the flat he lived in and constituents have, understandably, been concerned about black mould in their properties. 

The Tory Government has inflicted chaos on the country this year, with a staggering display of financial mismanagement. However, funding for local authorities in Scotland is set by the Scottish government, and it is SNP-inflicted austerity that has left Scotland’s local services under threat.

There has been a cut of more than a quarter to the house building budget. This is a disgraceful dereliction of the duty of this Government to solve our ongoing housing crisis and will lead to less homes being built for those families stuck in temporary accommodation, people sleeping on the streets, or languishing on social housing waiting lists for year after year.

Rapid rehousing transition plans and homelessness prevention are flat, meaning that there will be no more support available for local authorities to deal with the continuing crisis of homelessness, made worse by the supply of new homes being cut off.

NHS waiting times, health issues (including delayed discharge), continue to be a major problem in Lothian, with approximately 11% of my casework being related to these issues.

In Scotland, the length of time that people are having to wait for hospital procedures, outpatient appointments and diagnostic tests has shot up to 776,341 – equivalent to 1 in 7 Scots. Figures have revealed that at the end of September 2022, 2,114 people referred for an outpatient appointment and 7,612 patients waiting for a day case, or inpatient procedure had already been waiting for over two years.

These shocking figures have been reflected by the high number of constituents who have contacted me about the length of time that they are having to wait for appointments, hospital procedures, or the length of time they have had to wait in A&E.

For example, some in Lothian are being told that they may have to wait approximately 70 weeks for some eye laser treatments and over 110 weeks for some exploratory gynaecological operations.

The stress and anxiety caused by such long waits can lead to other mental and physical problems or exacerbate conditions that are already present. Constituents have also contacted me about delayed discharge from hospital due to the lack of social care available, or places in care homes.

Despite the SNP promises to end delayed discharge back in 2015, this practice has soared and in October 2022, an average of 1,898 bed days were lost every day – the worst figure on record.

I will continue to press the Scottish Government on these and other important issues, like the cost of living crisis, and will continue to make representations on behalf of my Lothian constituents as we head into the new year.

Agreement on social rents for 2023-24

Landlords announce plans for average increases

Ministers have reached an agreement with social landlords on below-inflation rent increases for the next financial year.

Organisations representing social landlords have announced their members’ plans for average rent increases for 2023-24, which will keep rents significantly below private market levels.

Under the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act 2022, rents are effectively frozen in the social rented sectors until 31 March 2023. Decisions on future plans for the private sector rent freeze, as well as other measures contained in the Act, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tenants’ Rights Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has given people – whether they rent in the private or social rented sector – reassurance within their current tenancies through the worst of the winter, even as their other costs have been rising.

“We recognise the enormous pressures households are facing, and by making this announcement now we aim to give social tenants advance notice, and confidence that any rent increase will be well below inflation.

“The statements of intent from the social rented sector, based on consultations with tenants, will keep rents affordable while allowing social landlords to continue investing in essential services such as home improvements and maintenance.”

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA’s Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, said: “This is good news for Local Authority tenants from Scotland’s Council Leaders today.

“Council Leaders recognise the severe financial crisis many of our tenants and households are facing and have acted decisively to provide some assurance,despite the financial challenges Scotland’s Councils face.

“Leaders recognise that the very high rates of inflation around the costs of heating and food disproportionately affect those on lower incomes and are acutely aware of the proportion of individuals’ income that is spent on accommodation in the rented sector and that this can vary considerably.

“In balancing the wide range of competing factors, Leaders with housing stock will seek to reach agreement with tenants over any increase in rents for the year 2023 – 24.  Councils consultative arrangements would normally allow them, subject to approval of local governance structures, to raise rents annually to meet rising costs.  

“During these difficult times, as providers of social housing and Gypsy/Traveller pitch or site provision, we intend to keep the rental and fee increases to an average of less than £5 a week across the country.

“Collectively, whether we are directly landlords or not, we urge all landlords setting rents in 2023-24 to adopt a similar consultative approach with their tenants, many of whom will be affected by the on-going crisis.”

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: “We welcome the fact that Scottish Government has worked closely with the sector, to understand the evidence and avoid unintended consequences of this legislation, and to find a collaborative way forward.

“Investing in good quality, warm homes for social rent is crucial to tackling poverty in Scotland and protecting new and existing tenants from the increasing cost of living.”

£80m affordable homes fund reopens

Multimillion pound loan scheme for social landlords relaunches

Social landlords will be able to access loans to build more affordable housing as a multimillion pound investment programme reopens to applications.

Under the Charitable Bond programme, registered housing associations can access the loans with up to £80 million available in the current financial year. The interest paid will be reinvested as grants into the social rented sector, further boosting the supply of affordable housing.

Since 2014, more than £260 million in loans have been made to housing associations across every corner of Scotland through the programme, generating almost £50 million in grants.

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “The Charitable Bond programme is an innovative way to offer funding to social landlords so that they can deliver as many homes as possible.

“The programme gives social landlords access to funding that they can’t receive elsewhere, and reinvests the interest paid on the loans – further increasing housing supply.

“Scotland has led the way in the delivery of affordable housing across the UK with almost 113,000 affordable homes built since 2007. This investment will help towards our current target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”

The Charitable Bond programme is delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by Allia C&C, a social enterprise finance firm that arranges funding for housing associations and other charities.

Peter Freer, Director for Scotland at Allia C&C, said: “This programme provides a form of unsecured finance that isn’t otherwise available in the market to enable Scottish housing associations to deliver much needed affordable homes.

“We’re delighted to continue our successful eight-year partnership with the Scottish Government with an even greater target for investment across the sector over the next four years.”

Background

Interactive map of projects supported through the Charitable Bond programme.

Port of Leith Housing Association and its subsidiaries rebrand as Harbour

An important new chapter has begun for Port of Leith Housing Association and its subsidiaries which have revealed new names and branding.

Harbour is made up of:

  • Harbour Homes (previously Port of Leith Housing Association)
  • Harbour Lettings (previously Persevere Developments Ltd, a mid market rent company)
  • Harbour Connections (previously Quay Community Improvements, a placemaking organisation and social enterprise)
  • Harbour Multi-Trades (previously TB Mackay Energy Services, a boiler, maintenance, repairs and multi-trades provider)

Harbour Chief Executive Heather Kitely said: “We’re excited to unveil our new branding which reflects our growth to become a family of organisations all working together to make a positive impact on people’s lives in Leith, north Edinburgh and beyond by providing excellent affordable homes and a wide range of services.

“I’m very proud of everything each member of Harbour has achieved to date. I’m confident that as Harbour we will continue to find new ways to support our brilliant communities and to provide vital services that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The rebrand process began in October 2020 with an extensive research and consultation process. You can read more about the rebrand story at:

www.polha.co.uk/rebrand. 

Tenants in Edinburgh take part in major energy efficiency roll out

Scottish housing provider Bield has rolled out hundreds of air fryers and slow cookers to tenants across the country in a bid to help reduce energy consumption.

The cooking equipment has been gifted to 688 Bield tenants as the provider received £33,000 from the Social Housing Fuel Support Fund – Round Two, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

Developments based in Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Dundee, East and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire and the Scottish Borders participated in the initiative which was led by Ken Greenshields, Customer Engagement Co-ordinator at Bield.

In Edinburgh, tenants at Emily Court, Halmyre Street, Milton Court and Pennywell Gardens received the new appliances.

The roll out is part of an ongoing drive to integrate energy efficient and sustainable measures across Bield’s operations and 5,000+ properties.

Frances Payne, a tenant at Bield’s Halmyre Street development in Edinburgh, said: “I was thinking of buying an air fryer myself and was so pleased when I received the offer letter asking if I wanted one. I’ve been looking forward to getting it and trying out some new recipes.”

As part of the roll out, Bield also created a recipe book with six different meal suggestions that can be made in an air fryer/slow cooker. The book was designed to help inspire tenants to make healthy food choices with their new equipment.

Another Bield resident, Mrs Dowling of the Glen Affric Avenue development in Glasgow, said: “I have been really looking forward to getting my air fryer. It is so quick and easy to use and everything I’ve cooked so far has been delicious.”

Bield’s commitment to sustainability is embedded into all its operations.  The housing and care provider recently revealed it is working to reduce its carbon footprint by 90% in a bid to combat the global environmental crisis.

Tracey Howatt, Director of Customer Experience at Bield said: “It’s very important to us that we make decisions which positively impact the environment whilst simultaneously putting the needs of our tenants at the heart of our operations.

“The roll out of these cooking appliances is just one of the proactive ways we are looking to raise awareness of energy and sustainability issues. We’re delighted to have been able to run this initiative and it’s only been possible thanks to the involvement and funding award from SFHA and a lot of hard work from Ken.

“We will continue to support our tenants in any way we can as we face soaring energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis.”

Bield worked with electrical retailer AO to help deliver the air fryers and slow cookers to its tenants across Scotland.

Anthony Sant, Managing Director at AO Business said “We are so pleased to have worked with Bield on this project and are excited to see the results. We all know that many essential appliances simply can’t be switched off at the plug to save energy, in the same way that we might do with game consoles or TVs when not in use.

“These slow cookers and air fryers will allow the recipients to make delicious, healthy meals at home, using less energy, and we’re thrilled to have been asked to play a part in making it happen.”

Bield is a registered charity dedicated to providing flexible housing solutions and support for older people. Bield Housing and Care has around 180 developments across Scotland, providing independent living for those over 50 years old around the country.

To find out more about Bield, visit https://www.bield.co.uk/housing-and-other-services or follow on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland.

Scottish Housing Day: Alliance of Edinburgh affordable housing providers rally together to support sustainable housing

With Scottish Housing Day (14 September 2022) focusing on sustainable housing, the Alliance of Registered Co-operatives and Housing Associations, Independent in Edinburgh (ARCHIE) is working collaboratively to address the challenges around decarbonisation and energy efficiency and provide advice on how tenants can live sustainable lives, from energy saving tips to financial support.

Past ARCHIE successes include joint ventures such as distributing energy saving packs to tenants and energy use advice. One of the most successful projects is the provision of Tenant Advice Services, which includes money, debt, benefits and tenancy sustainment advice.

Through sharing services and collaborating on joint activities ARCHIE members provide value for money and keep rents affordable.

The ARCHIE members are Lister Housing Co-operative, Manor Estates Housing Association, Muirhouse Housing Association, Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), Prospect Community Housing, Viewpoint Housing Association and West Granton Housing Co-operative.

Larke Adger, Chair of ARCHIE and Chief Executive, West Granton Housing Co-op commented: “Through collaborative working, we have achieved better services and support for tenants across all ARCHIE member organisations.

“We look forward to continuing to build on this work to help create thriving, sustainable communities.”

Cllr Jane Meagher: Facing up to Edinburgh’s housing challenge by building smart new homes

Councillor Jane Meagher, the city council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, writes:

After a slowdown during the pandemic, it’s great to see so much work underway to build the new affordable and sustainable homes our growing city needs. 
 
Last week I had the pleasure of marking the site start for our newest housing development – Western Villages at the new Granton Waterfront. Spanning a site the same size as the New Town, this regeneration of the waterfront really is going to create a brand new coastal community. 
 
This is growth which will benefit those who already live in the area and the city as a whole and I have to say, it’s incredible to watch the start of construction. There is a team of people working extremely hard so that, over the next decade, we’ll see drastic change and thousands of people move into beautiful new homes.

They will join a 20-minute neighbourhood where they can shop, socialise, and access support. With our partners we’re investing millions in the area, including the fantastic gas works holder, which will become an amazing spectacle; a home for events and a glowing beacon for North Edinburgh below everyone who flies into the city. 
 
I am strongly committed to doing what I can to secure more affordable homes for Edinburgh. Over 150 households bid for every Council and housing association home that becomes available so that’s why we’re driving forward with building new affordable homes on sites across the city.

Close to Granton, in nearby Pennywell and Muirhouse, new homes and a new civic centre are taking shape. We’re also investing in improving existing homes with major works underway in both multi storey blocks and low-rise housing.   
 
As the city grows, the demand we are seeing for affordable and social homes is only going to increase. That is a reality we must face, not least with the country in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis and fears of recession on the horizon.

It’s why it’s critical the Council and its partners press ahead with a truly ambitious and forward-thinking housebuilding strategy and it’s why we must continue to make the case for increased investment in this programme to the Scottish Government. Our capital city, after all, is per head the lowest funded local authority in Scotland.
  
The way we’re building homes is also changing, with innovative measures being used to reduce energy. Western Villages is a great example of that, as Scotland’s largest net zero development. We want the whole city to become net zero carbon by 2030 so we are committing to ‘build smarter’ and create new homes which are greener and use eco-friendly technology.

This construction work is also helping to boost and create new jobs and apprenticeships which will further help us to support people into employment and keep our economy resilient, which is particularly significant after the impacts of Covid. 

The future is challenging, but together with developers and others we are doing everything within our powers to make it fairer on residents and on our environment. We’ll keep working to tackle our housing pressures and deliver these affordable and sustainable new homes.

This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News