CIH Scotland response to publication of Housing Investment Taskforce Report

Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland welcomes and supports the aims of the Housing Investment Taskforce, as defined in its report published today.

The ambition to further capitalise on home building in Scotland is crucial to addressing the housing emergency and delivering the 110,000 social and affordable homes Scotland needs by 2032.

An initial review of the recommendations suggests a number of sensible short-term and long-term proposals that would provide greater confidence to the home building sector. This includes greater assurance for the delivery of mid-market rent properties and a long-term commitment to a minimum level of funding for new affordable housing supply. We hope the Scottish Government is able to move quickly to support these recommendations.

However, some of the recommendations require more detail and in particular we would like more information on the risk/ benefit of a 'for profit' provider of affordable homes in Scotland before we are convinced of its merit. Scotland has a successful structure for the delivery of social and affordable housing - the challenge is that funding from the state is increasingly not covering a proportionate share of the costs. We are wary about models that may risk increased financialisation of the sector, which in turn would mean higher long-term rents for tenants.  

The report is very welcome in setting out the challenges we have delivering our housing ambition against the existing housing finance system. It also rightly recognises the interdependencies and challenges operating across the UK housing system as a whole. We hope that the Scottish Government response will set out a complete consideration of housing taxation and finance so we can deliver the social and affordable homes that Scotland needs.