Housing Update

My team and I recently met with representatives from Fife Council’s North East Fife Housing Department to review the last quarter and look ahead to the coming months.

I continue to be impressed by the Council’s innovative thinking, its work to support people through the cost of living crisis, and its commitment to tackling the housing emergency. It is encouraging to see this work recognised by the Scottish Housing Secretary. The dedication and perseverance shown by officers, despite an extremely complex and challenging situation, does not go unnoticed, and I am grateful for their openness and willingness to work constructively with my office.

However, the scale of the housing emergency, and the pressures it creates, cannot be ignored.

After writing to the Scottish Housing Minister in relation to the Housing Act, I welcome their commitment to extending funding for Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans, however, it is clear that there is still a long way to go before this crisis is resolved.

Several key challenges remain clear:

• The shortage of family homes continues to drive overcrowding and instability.

• There is a growing lack of bungalows and adapted homes, affecting older residents and people with disabilities.

• Council services are under increasing strain due to backlogs and pressures on third-sector partners such as social work and charitable organisations, alongside the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis.

  
  

At the recent Scottish Liberal Democrats Conference, we reaffirmed our commitment to tackling Scotland’s housing emergency head-on. Our priorities, as listed in our pre-manifesto, include replacing the SNP Government’s failing housing strategy with a new, data-driven approach that restores social rent as a long-term option, focusing on building strong communities, and supporting innovative ways to make renting and buying more affordable. We are also committed to increasing housebuilding to around 25,000 homes a year, delivering homes for key workers, developing new Net Zero New Towns, and introducing a Help to Renovate loan scheme to bring neglected properties back into use.

As casework in my office has increased in both volume and complexity, my team has recently refreshed its training in welfare benefits, Scottish housing law and safeguarding. This ensures we are better equipped to support constituents facing housing insecurity. I also continue to engage closely with local organisations and partners so that I remain fully informed and able to raise constituents’ concerns effectively.

Looking ahead, I will continue to work closely with Fife Council and its partners on the individual cases brought to me by constituents. At the same time, I will keep using my position to hold the Government to account and press for the long-term solutions that are so urgently needed.

The housing emergency will not be solved overnight, but I remain determined to keep pushing for the homes our communities need and deserve.