Pledge to build 50,000 affordable homes.
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at the opening of the SNP’s conference in Aberdeen on thursday that they would embark on a £3 billion programme to build 50,000 new affordable homes in Scotland if the SNP were to win the election next May, she reportedly highlighted the governments housing achievements by saying “We have a good record on housing. In this parliament, we had a target of building 30,000 affordable homes and we are on track to meet it”.
The first minister told delegates: “Making sure that everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is central to our government’s drive to make this country fairer and more prosperous.”
Mary Taylor, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) chief executive reportedly said: “We are extremely pleased that the SNP has listened to SFHA and others by committing to build 50,000 new affordable homes in Scotland, nearly double the target in the current Parliament. The announcement of a pot of £3bn in funding gives room for significant subsidy to the social housing element at affordable rents. This will help our members to plan programmes of affordable housing on the ground. Our sector stands ready to work with the government to deliver this ambition.”