Housing problems

The news this week that, on average, there is only one affordable home for every five applicants that want one in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, no doubt came as a shock to many, if not a complete surprise.

While we have known for a long time there is a dire shortage of housing to rent or buy at an affordable price across Argyll, to hear 533 families are waiting for a suitable property but only 94 are available to let in Lorn alone is a stark reminder of the massive problem we have in this region.

Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) chairman Roddy McCuish said the association is seeing the pressure ratio of five to one, which in layman’s terms means that for every house they let, ACHA could let another four but can’t because they don’t have the property. However, we commend Argyll and Bute Council’s housing strategy team for its five-year vision that ‘everyone in Argyll and Bute has access to a suitable, high quality home which is affordable and located within a vibrant, sustainable and connected community’. There is a long way to go and a steep hill to climb, but we encourage them as they lead in this bold ambition.