Housing plan ‘builds on progress’

A FIVE-YEAR local housing plan, which aims to tackle ‘significant issues’, has been tabled.

Argyll and Bute’s Local Housing Strategy was recently submitted to the Scottish Government for ministerial approval. Developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, registered social landlords, local housing associations and other groups, the document also reflects a wide consultation over the past couple of years.

Councillor Robin Currie, the council’s policy lead for housing, said: ‘This milestone in strategic planning is the result of an ongoing and very productive collaborative process between the council and its partners. Good quality housing, along with appropriate housing support and related services, has a vital role to play in the social and economic wellbeing of Argyll and Bute, and the council’s new housing vision for the next five years seeks to recognise this.

The main aims of the housing strategy are to ensure:

People can access sufficient, suitable and affordable housing.

People can access an effective, personalised housing options service to meet their housing need.

People are enabled to live independently in their own homes.

Communities are regenerated by improving the quality, condition and energy efficiency of housing.

Councillor Currie added: ‘Despite very positive progress over the past five years, we clearly still have some very significant issues to tackle, so it is vital we have an appropri- ate strategic document to guide us through the next five years.

‘This strategy is based on a comprehensive assessment of housing needs and demand across Argyll and Bute.

‘I would encourage local communities and individuals to engage in this by providing feedback.

‘All the feedback we receive will help to influence the ongoing implementation and annual updates of the strategy and therefore the direction of future housing activity and housing investment in Argyll and Bute.’