Scottish Borders Council urged to declare a housing emergency
Last updated 14th May 2024
Scottish Borders Council is being urged to declare a housing emergency.
It comes after a meeting today (Tuesday) heard demand for temporary accommodation is at an all-time high.
And plans to build 184 affordable homes in the region over the next year are unlikely to be achieved.
The local authority's Executive was also told the number of applications for social properties has doubled in five years - with Scottish Borders Housing Association receiving 104 bids for just five new homes in its latest development in Kelso.
And demand on registered social landlords is set to increase further after the council agreed to sell its temporary housing unit at Maxmill Park in Kelso, with councillors stating it's no longer fit for purpose.
Tweeddale councillor Julie Pirone told Greatest Hits Radio: "We are under severe pressure and I think it's important now that, as a council, we take a stand and declare a housing crisis so that everybody - including our governments - understand the pressure we're facing.
"Most people think in a rural area it's lovely and we have no problems, but we have a huge demand on our housing. Our housing associations are doing their best and are overwhelmed by the number of people who want to live here.
"And we're also seeing that in the private sector we just don't have enough housing and we need to do something about it."
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New figures reveal 221 new affordable homes were made available for rent in the Scottish Borders over the last financial year - including 38 wheelchair accessible homes (almost double the annual target of 20).
But inflation and a shortage of labour is impacting on plans to build more.
Members heard Ukrainian refugees are still housed in local hotels, while private rents have also rocketed.
The local authority pointed out it has employed an Empty Homes Officers to help bring some of the 1,268 "long-term empty" homes in the Borders back into use, while it's hoped doubling the council tax on the region's 1,000 second homes could also help reduce the number of properties lying vacant.
Councillor Pirone said: "It is very clear to me, given the number of cases I deal with on a daily basis, that we've got a problem, and a crisis within our housing across the Scottish Borders.
"We don't have enough social housing; our housing associations are struggling; we've got an unprecedented demand for our homeless support service; and we also have our Ukranian friends who also want to stay in the Borders and are looking for housing."
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A report, outlining the council's options, is due to be presented to a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council in the coming weeks.
A paper presented to councillors today states: "An additional 184 affordable homes have been identified as potentially being able to complete.
"However, recent announcements regarding the cuts to the Affordable Housing Supply programme housing and a Resource Planning Assumption of £11.750m (26% below previous year) means that projects will need to be carefully considered and prioritised and the full potential is unlikely to be realised."
Are you stuck in unsuitable housing conditions, and want to share your story? Email our reporter: ally.mcgilvray@bauermedia.co.uk
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