Question reference: S5W-29975
- Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 16 June 2020 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 6 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the demand for affordable housing, broken down by each local authority area, and how this work will inform the geographical focus of delivery of these houses.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s approach to the planning and delivery of affordable housing is focussed on providing the “right homes in the right places”, achieved by working closely with local authorities in their role as strategic housing and planning authorities.
It is the responsibility of local authorities through their Development Plan and Local Housing Strategy (LHS) to determine the appropriate housing required in their area, informed by a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA). An HNDA is undertaken every 5 years and estimates current and future need for housing. The HNDA evidence base informs an LHS that sets out the local authority’s priorities and plans for the delivery of housing and housing related services. A local authority should consider the number, location, type, size and tenure of housing required to address the need in their communities, as well as issues in relation to particular needs.
Local authority Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs) help inform housing investment decisions, including the size and type of housing required and are informed by priorities set out in an LHS which is developed in consultation with communities and stakeholders.