Ahead of the Housing Minister's visit to the Highlands on Friday, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has challenged the minister to explain why the Scottish Goverment's rural housing fund has not been fully utilised.
According to Parliamentary Question S6W-14348, just 32 affordable homes were built in 2022-23, and there are pressures on housing availability across the Highlands. Mr Halcro Johnston, who is also the Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, raised questions about how this Scottish Government will be able to sustain local rural communities and keep young people from moving away.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "This rural housing crisis not only threatens the quality of life for individuals but also undermines the essence of sustainable rural communities.
"Without suitable housing options, young people and their families are being forced to relocate away from the communities they grew up in, diminishing the prospects for growth and development in our rural areas. And without available accommodation, people looking to move into rural communities to fill jobs in local businesses and in public services – including the NHS – can’t find places to stay, leaving too many roles unfilled.
"The fact that the allocated fund has still not been utilised, even with an extended deadline, grossly highlights the failure of the current measures. The Scottish Government need an urgent reevaluation of this fund to ensure that rural communities receive the targeted support they have been demanding.
"A thriving rural economy relies on young people to be able to live and work locally, and their active participation in community life is vital. However, this current housing crisis is depriving our rural areas of this important demographic”.
