The Housing Supply Task Force, a new body charged with tackling obstacles that are hampering the provision of more homes, held its first meeting today.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell chaired the session with a membership drawn from local authorities, house-builders, the housing association movement, and housing interest groups - people in a position to bring about real change.
The Task Force will challenge the different sectors to find ways to supply more homes more quickly, while ensuring high environmental standards.
Higher demand for housing is not being matched by adequate supply. Average house prices rose by 72 per cent between 2002 and 2006, but only 2 per cent more homes were built in 2006 than in 2002.
In Edinburgh, Mr Maxwell said:
“The Scottish government wants to see an increase in the number of homes that are being built across all sectors.
“This will be a major challenge, not just for the government but for local authorities, housing providers and the construction industry.
“I want this Task Force to shake up the current systems. Its focus will be on driving action where change is needed, rather than producing reports.
“The group is small but contains the main power brokers; representatives of organisations that I believe will help resolve the problems that get in the way of adequate housing delivery in Scotland.”
Members of the Housing Supply Task Force membership are:
- Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport
- Councillor Harry McGuigan (CoSLA Housing Portfolio)
- Councillor Alison Hay (CoSLA Planning Portfolio)
- Ronnie Jacobs (Chair, Homes for Scotland)
- Bruce Black (Executive Director, Homes for Scotland)
- Kennedy Foster (Council of Mortgage Lenders)
- Archie Stoddart (Shelter)
- Brian Gegan (Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)
Source-Scottish Executive