Housing is priority for voters as they head to the polls
Housing tops the list of voters’ concerns ahead of today’s council elections.
Research by homeless charity Shelter Scotland has highlighted the issue is a worry for many.
The study has been welcomed by Renfrewshire SNP candidates Kenny and Mags MacLaren, who called for more funding from Holyrood to tackle the problem.
Both sat on Renfrewshire Council’s housing board and there’s a large number of council properties within their Paisley Northwest ward.
The research found that 42 per cent of Scotland’s adults believe their local council should be doing more to tackle homelessness.
An overwhelming 80 per cent of people saying they think everyone should have the right to a permanent home.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren said: “A recent survey by the campaign group Shelter Scotland has highlighted that housing is one of the main concerns of voters in the coming council election.
“This report merely highlights what we already know – that it is only the council and social housing sector that can tackle homelessness.
“However, for that to happen we need more funding from the Scottish Government and more flexibility on how to apply the funds.
“Not every regeneration project is the same, nor is the housing need in every area.
“More flexibility in funding and how it is applied can ensure better quality social housing.
“We also need stronger enforcement of planning policies.
“Developers only want to build larger houses to get larger profits. More should be done to ensure a percentage of all new developments contain affordable housing.
“Of course, I agree with the 80 per cent who say that everyone should have the right to a permanent home, but it should also be a home in which they feel safe.
“There is no point in merely chasing numbers when potential problem tenants don’t get the support they require and end up with anti-social disputes with their neighbours.”
Councillor Mags MacLaren added: “The SNP has been prioritising council house building, with around 100 new council homes being finalised in our ward, at the old St Fergus Primary school site.
“There are also plans to regenerate housing in two parts of our ward – in Springbank Road and around Broomlands Street – which will see some demolitions replaced by new council housing, as well as refurbishment of neighbouring council homes.”
We need more funding from the Scottish Government and more flexibility on how to apply the funds