Housing crisis

The housing shortage in Argyll is nothing new, but following two years of Covid which has dealt many local companies a stinging blow, many are now looking to make up for lost time and grow their business.

But they find themselves hampered due to a lack of suitable, affordable accommodation for workers.

This week we hear from Mull, where accommodation is urgently needed for at least 260 workers across the island and on Iona.

Results from a feasibility study commissioned by Mull and Iona Community Trust show accommodation is needed right now for 127 workers and for 133 others across the islands.

Businesses have said they cannot expand due to a difficulty recruiting staff and a large part of that is lack of accommodation. The NHS and CalMac are also struggling with similar issues.

There is no quick fix for this problem, but this is a welcome first step to a possible solution. We hope the Scottish Government’s support for this issue extends beyond the study, otherwise our fragile communities, particularly those on the islands, will go into terminal decline - and none of us want that.