‘Money from rent rise to be reinvested in housing’

MONEY generated by increasing council house rent rates will be reinvested in the region’s housing stock, Fife Council has vowed.

A 3% rise in rent for council tenants was approved at Fife Council’s budget meeting, a move that went largely unopposed.

Judy Hamilton, the local authority’s executive spokeswoman for housing, said that the increase would improve conditions for many other people living in Fife.

She said:“It gives us the opportunity to control our own income and by talking to residents we can decide together on our priorities. I’ve been talking to tenants around Fife at a range of events and they’re willing to support a modest rent increase, which will add £1.97 a week to the average property rent, to support growth and improvement.

“We all agree that access to more, better and secure affordable housing is critical.”

The rise is anticipated to generate £111 million for services in 2017-18.

Mrs Hamilton continued: “Fife is the highest-investing local authority in Scotland, with over three-quarters of our rental income invested back into housing, and we’re the largest developer of social housing in the UK. Our work with partners on the local house building programme has contributed more than £200 million to the local economy, creating jobs, apprenticeships and homes.

“As well as helping record numbers of homeless people into housing, we’re tackling outdated housing and regenerating and rebuilding communities.

“We’re working to reduce fuel poverty and we’re future proofing our housing, making more homes accessible to those with disabilities and building new care villages.”

Judy Hamilton