The trust has been awarded stage 1 funds from the Scottish Land Fund to start the process of purchasing land for affordable housing. These funds will cover valuations on the two plots we have identified and pre-acquisition legal fees. We will be applying for stage 2 funds to complete the purchase. This funding is one step in a long process but we are delighted to be progressing this project.
Why the trust is looking at affordable housing –
An independent survey by Rural Housing Service on behalf of the trust reported that 64% of respondents knew someone who has had to leave the area due to lack of housing and it emphasised the lack of affordable housing. The survey identified, through engaging with businesses, that recruitment was an issue because when the staff was doing a house searching was difficult to find appropriate, permanent and affordable accommodation. This was again reiterated at a recent meeting with the Three Chimneys, the largest employer in the area. Rural Housing Services review of the housing market showed the cost of buying a house in Glendale is £50,000 greater than the Scottish average and building plots also incurred a premium making the housing market in Glendale unaffordable to those on low to moderate incomes. The recently published Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation highlighted that housing was an issue with Glendale being in the 3rd most deprived decile for housing.