2000 people waiting on one social housing list
ATOTAL of 2000 people are waiting on social housing in Drumchapel as calls are made for more homes in the area.
A community councillor said the area doesn’t seem to be “getting a coin” for new affordable homes.
Saying he is “sick” of raising the problem, Andrew Lynch, of Drumchapel Community Council, said: “There is a massive waiting list for social housing.”
He questioned where money from Glasgow’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) is going.
He said: “I just want to know what is happening with this SHIP programme – hundreds of millions of pounds have been allocated to Glasgow. Drumchapel don’t seem to be getting a coin out of it.”
He continued: “When are we going to get more houses built? When are we going
to grow the community of Drumchapel big style?”
Speaking at the Drumchapel and Anniesland Area Partnership last week, Lynch said: “Drumchapel is a lovely place. I’ve lived here all my life. I love it to death. I want to see it grow.”
The meeting heard there is vacant land in the area.
Labour councillor Paul Carey said “to get to the bottom of this” a meeting would be organised with council officials to discuss the issue.
Independent councillor Elspeth Kerr said: “There are 2000 people on the list looking for social housing in Drumchapel.”
She pointed out affordable homes rely on housing associations having money to build them including projected funds for future years.
The politician said: “I suggest that when we have a meeting we should involve housing associations as well – without them we don’t have anybody to build the houses. We haven’t got the council
to rely on to build houses – we don’t do council housing. Otherwise, it will end up being taken over by the private sector – and that means no more social housing.”
She said money from the SHIP funding “was all allocated before it was announced”.
She told the meeting: “I know at least one of the housing associations in Drumchapel tried to find out about it to be told there was nothing they could tap into at the moment.”
SNP councillor Malcolm Balfour voiced agreement on involving housing associations. But Carey said: “If the officers tell us there is no money there is no point in having housing associations around the table.”
He added: “If they tell us there is money then we set up a second meeting quickly and involve the housing associations.”
He said if there is no money they would press the council on why that is the case.