
£60 million is to be distributed to support a national acquisition plan to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
£60 million is to be distributed to support a national acquisition plan to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
Whilst there is housing available in Orkney, what is in short supply is affordable housing, both to rent and to buy. This has serious consequences for the sustainability of the islands: retaining our young people and families, encouraging workers to come here.
The Scottish Government’s Croft House Grant has been extended. It is now open for grants of up to £38,000 towards the costs of home energy improvements.
“Poverty was a major cause of heavy outbreaks of disease, with many people living on the edge of subsistence, having a minimum of warmth, clothing, and shelter, and with the ever-present threat of starvation hanging over their heads. “
Two houses on Papa Westray and another house on the island of Eday are set to be bought by their local communities following grants from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF).
It was not only among the poor that this insanitary state existed. Dr. Samuel Johnson, for example, when talking about his friend, the poet, Kit Smart, remarked: “Another charge was that he did not love clean linen; and I have no passion for it.”
“To understand what POVERTY really is, you firstly have to think about the causes. People don’t “choose” to live in poverty, it’s not a lifestyle choice, and many find themselves in this situation, or on the verge of it, through absolutely no fault of their own.” Linda Craik, End Poverty Edinburgh
“It has been a time of firsts for me in my ministerial role, with last week seeing my first speech as a minister as I closed the debate on the UK Government’s so-called Illegal Migration Bill. The Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the aims of this legislation and the harm it seeks to cause to the most marginalised people.”
“Good quality affordable housing is essential to attract and retain people in rural communities, particularly in areas where key workers are needed. That’s why we are making up to £25 million available in a dedicated fund to make affordable homes for key workers, such as those working in the public sector and emergency services.” Paul McLennan Scottish Housing MInister
Lack of affordable housing is forcing families and young people to leave their island and rural communities. It is creating a crisis in workforce availability for those with jobs and those obtaining work locally unable to find places to live.