Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has questioned the Scottish Government on why it has failed to fully utilise funds specifically aimed at building houses in Scotland’s rural areas and islands.
Speaking at Thursday’s General Questions at Holyrood, the Scottish Conservative MSP highlighted the huge pressure on housing in his region, arguing that a shortage of suitable properties was leaving many families, some of whom are key workers, struggling to find a home.
Commenting afterwards, Mr Halcro Johnston said: "It will come as no surprise to anyone who lives in rural Scotland, or in many of our island communities, that there is real pressure on housing stock.
“However, what might come as a surprise to many is that there is millions of pounds left unspent in Scottish Government funds specifically earmarked for rural and island housing.
“Only £18 million of a total of £30 million available from the Rural Housing and Island Housing funds has been spent, despite the Scottish Government launching these schemes as far back as 2016 and allowing them to continue beyond their original closure dates.
“The Deputy First Minister claimed that the schemes are demand-led and that this is the reason for the money being left unused so far, but a lack of take up suggests at least part of the problem might be with how the support is made available to those who might want to access it.
“It is vital that this money is used to build the homes so desperately needed in communities across my Highlands and Islands region, and not left sitting in Scottish Government coffers in Edinburgh.
“If there needs to be changes to the way it is delivered, or with the criteria required for its allocations, then I hope SNP ministers will look at this.
“If we want sustainable local communities, then local people - and key workers such as teachers and carers - must be able to find affordable and suitable homes in those communities”.
