Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions to Scotland’s growing housing crisis, following the release this week of troubling new statistics showing a 17% decline in housing starts and completions across all sectors.
“These figures are a stark reminder that Scotland’s housing emergency is deepening,” said Burgess.
“With both private and social housing activity in freefall, it’s clear that we need to take immediate and effective action to address this crisis.”
Ms Burgess emphasised the importance of not only building new homes but also investing in the retrofitting and conversion of empty properties.
“We have a significant number of vacant and derelict properties across Scotland.
“By retrofitting and converting these properties, we can provide much-needed housing more cost-effectively and sustainably,” she stated.
Through retrofitting and adapting use we could be creating three homes for the cost of building one new home.
“This strategy not only addresses the immediate need for housing but also tackles the long-term issue of vacant and derelict properties that blight many areas.
“By focusing on existing properties, we can reduce the financial burden on social landlords and provide quicker solutions for those in urgent need of housing,” Ms Burgess explained.
“This approach also supports local economies by creating jobs in construction and related industries.”
Ms Burgess also highlighted the environmental benefits of retrofitting and converting existing properties.
“This approach aligns with our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
“It’s a win-win for our communities and our planet.
“It can only be delivered through a serious investment in training a skilled workforce.
“For our rural and island communities that means establishing a mobile training unit that takes the opportunity to train in traditional building skills closer to where young trainees live.”
Burgess called on the Scottish Government to prioritise these strategies in their housing policies.
“We need to see a commitment to innovative and affordable actions that can have the biggest impact.
“Retrofitting and converting empty properties should be at the forefront of our efforts to solve the housing crisis.”
