PROPERTY GUIDE

Brexit vote ‘puts new housing targets at risk’ - new CIH Scotland survey

Housing professionals in Scotland fear the UK’s recent Brexit vote could put the Scottish Government’s affordable housing targets out of reach – according to a new survey by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland. Nearly 70 per cent who took part in the survey were concerned about the prospects of meeting the Scottish Government’s target to build 10,000 affordable homes a year following the UK vote to leave the European Union on the June 23. Meanwhile, more than half were concerned that the Brexit decision would have a negative impact on their organisation’s own development plans. CIH Scotland is the representative body for housing professionals in Scotland and has a membership of around 2,300 across the country. The results of the new membership survey were revealed at a CIH Scotland event in Edinburgh today ( Tuesday, July 26) where a panel of experts gathered to discuss the likely implications of Brexit for Scotland’s housing sector. As part of the survey, CIH Scotland members also expressed concerns about the potential future impact of the Brexit vote on community cohesion and, in particular, the ability of minority groups to access housing in the future. There is still a large degree of uncertainty about the process for leaving the EU and Scotland’s role and future position as part of those negotiations. Meanwhile, official figures show the completion of new homes by Scotland’s social housing sector has declined from a peak of 5,989 units completed in 2009-10 to 3,458 units in 2015-16. CIH Scotland director, Annie Mauger said: ‘ We cannot predict what the future holds but this survey demonstrates just how much uncertainty there is in Scotland’s housing sector. In these times of economic and political uncertainty, we must ensure that we continue to work together to provide the new homes Scotland needs to support its growing population. ‘Just as worrying as the lack of confi dence in home- building is the concern members have about the potential impact of the recent referendum vote on our communities. The housing sector has always had a strong role in promoting community cohesion and this must remain a key focus going forward.’