At a recent housing debate hosted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), CIH Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Shelter Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP, Jim Hume, promised to bring 40,000 homes to the social housing market.
The 90-minute Q&A brought together housing representatives from five parliamentary parties to discuss key housing topics, however the Lib Dem pledge was not matched by the other panellists.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats 2016 Manifesto was published on 15th April, where it revealed it would increase the number of affordable homes to 50,000, with 40,000 dedicated for social rent.
The Manifesto also stated it will renew its empty homes strategy to bring as many of the 27,000 empty homes back into use.
The majority of the debate centred on new supply, however Hew Edgar, Policy Manager (Scotland) at the RICS, said it was “refreshing” to see the panel asked about existing stock.
“There was diluted commitment from the political parties to take forward RICS’ Planned Maintenance Scheme (a recommendation in RICS’ Scotland manifesto: Shaping Scotland’s Housing Future), despite widespread approval from across housing sector participants.”
The Institute’s next hustings, Building Scotland’s Future, is on 19th April.
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