SNP must do more to support Housing Associations (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

Gordon Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

SNP must do more to support Housing Associations

August 18, 2009 2:02 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson Jamie Stone MSP has called on the SNP Government to do more to support Housing Associations across Scotland in developing off-site builds to tackle Scotland's affordable housing shortfall.

Off-site building uses modules that are pre-made in a factory and then assembled on site. This means that homes can be built to much more precise specifications, are more energy efficient, produce much less waste and are a more sustainable way of building.

Mr Stone is in Dundee today (Tuesday) visiting an off-site modular development run by Hillcrest Housing Association and supported by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

Commenting, Mr Stone said:

"Scotland has a serious shortfall of affordable housing.

"Off-site developments like the one run by Hillcrest Housing Association at Kirk Street in Dundee are an excellent way of building energy efficient, low waste, sustainable homes at a low cost.

"At a time of economic recession, Scotland's housing sector needs real action to support it.

"I want to see SNP Ministers do more to encourage Housing Associations to develop off-site build projects right across Scotland."

Director of Development at Hillcrest Housing Association Manus McGinty added:

"Hillcrest is committed to promoting energy efficiency and finding more sustainable ways of working.

"These modular houses are our most energy efficient ever and because they are constructed in a workshop there is a reduction in waste and fuel consumption.

"We hope that a lot can be learned from the experience to allow this form of house construction to be mainstreamed into all housing sectors."

Jacqui Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said:

"Housing providers will have to engage with both the need to tackle climate change and the need to provide more housing. Housing associations are at the forefront of providing good quality, energy efficient affordable housing and we are fully behind members such as Hillcrest who are continually looking at new ways of delivering good quality housing which produces less emissions. We look forward to more projects such as the modular houses at Kirk Street, Dundee, which are innovative and effective."