Housebuilding boost

But some claim cash doesn’t go far enough

A HOMELESS charity chief today welcomed major new funding to support Dundee City Council’s housebuilding plans.

But others have claimed the money won’t go far enough towards helping thousands of people find affordable new houses.

As reported in the Tele yesterday, the local authority will receive £49.9 million from the Scottish Government over the next three years.

The cash is part of funding handed out to councils across Scotland to support new homes programmes.

The money will help pay for a fiveyear housing investment plan, which includes developments in Alexander Street, Glamis Road, Kilbride Place and Mid Craigie.

Gareth Norman, of t he Night Ministry in Dundee, who works with the city’s homeless, said money invested in social housing in the city should be welcomed.

He added: “There’s a need for more affordable housing in Dundee and I welcome the news of this funding.

“However, I would also like to see more support for tenants once they have got a house. I would like some of the money to be earmarked for that.”

Yvonne Tosh, chairwoman of Balmoral Tenants’ and Residents’ Association in Douglas, said she was concerned that even more money was needed to provide affordable housing in Dundee, with a waiting list of more than 7,000 for a new home.

She said: “We have lost so many houses in Dundee in recent years that the waiting list numbers are very high.

“The Scottish Government should be giving even more money to the council in Dundee to help build enough affordable housing.”

Grant Ritchie, principal of Dundee and Angus College, who sat on Dundee’s Fairness Commission, said: “There is a recognised need for affordable housing in Dundee.

“We saw on the Fairness Commission that many people struggle to find and afford a suitable home.”

Councillor Kevin Cordell, convener of neighbourhood services — whose remit includes housing — said: “This money will go a long way towards supporting our existing plans to build more houses.

“I want to build as many high quality, energy efficient and affordable new homes as we can.”

Gareth Norman, who works with homeless people through his charity.

Yvonne Tosh and Grant Ritchie.