Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has described the sudden closure of Rural Housing Scotland (RHS) as “terrible news”.
Commenting after the closure was announced, Ms Burgess, said:
“This sudden closure is terrible news.
“After its tremendous annual conference in Aviemore earlier this year, I’d have hoped that RHS would have had a bright future.
“I really saw it having a role in bringing people together.
“It’s not clear there’s any other organisation that can fill that space.
“Addressing the rural housing emergency has been a priority of my term as an MSP.
“That’s why the Scottish Greens pushed for a government commitment to build more rural homes and for direct funding of community housing enablers.
“RHS’s Coordinator Donna Young has done a superb job since taking over the running of the charity in September 2023.
“Donna, her team and the RHS board of directors have all played a vital role in bringing the need for affordable housing in rural areas to the attention of Scotland’s decision makers and landowners.
“The Scottish Government must do all it can to meet the region’s housing needs, which includes a range of housing options and, in doing so, ensure the survival of Scotland’s vibrant rural and island communities.”
