NewsArticle-05-02-2009

Having borne the brunt of the credit crunch fallout in 2008, the Scottish home building industry has endured a period of unprecedented economic turmoil and uncertainty, resulting in dramatic drops in activity and the loss of many thousands of jobs.

Whilst 2009 promises to be just as challenging, it is the efforts of those remaining at the industry’s core which will be key to the delivery of desperately needed new homes across the country as market conditions improve.

This is the view of industry body Homes for Scotland which today announced “People” as the focus for its annual awards scheme in 2009.

Chief Executive Jonathan Fair said:  

“In spite of the dramatic and rapid loss of capacity so far wreaked upon the industry, it is nonetheless imperative we don’t lose sight of the fact that the requirement for many new homes in Scotland remains, as does the Scottish Government’s objective of increasing supply to at least 35,000 units each year by the middle of the next decade.

“Though this is a long-term goal, attaining it will depend entirely upon the talent and determination of all those who remain involved in home building, at whatever level and in whatever function.  Recognising this talent and promoting the achievements of those who have already gone that extra mile is what the Homes for Scotland’s People Awards 2009 are all about.”

Entries from Homes for Scotland members are now being invited and will be assessed by an independent judging panel.  Winners will be announced at the organisation’s Annual Lunch on Friday 1 May.

Click here to view the entry brochure.

Ends

Enquiries to:

Jennifer Kennedy, Homes for Scotland – 0131 455 8350 

Notes to Editors:

1.  Homes for Scotland holds awards each year in order to improve standards and promote best practice within the home building industry.  

2.  Entries for the Homes for Scotland People Awards 2009 will be assessed by an independent judging panel which includes:

Alan Ferguson – Director, CIH Scotland
Kennedy Foster – CML Scotland Policy Consultant
Mike Foulis – Director, Housing & Regeneration, Scottish Government
Bill Jamieson – Executive Editor, The Scotsman
Graham Ogilvie – Construction Skills Scotland
Helen Stuart – General Manager, Scotland’s New Home Buyer
Nick Barley - Director, The Lighthouse

3.  Homes for Scotland represents the country’s home building industry which, prior to the onset of the credit crunch,:

-  was the largest source of private investment in Scotland and the largest user of the planning system
-  built 20,000 new homes, contributed £6bn to the economy and directly impacted the employment of 100,000 people (2007 figures)

But with 26,000 jobs already lost and much new development across the country now effectively on hold, Scottish new build housing output has plummeted.  This will have far-reaching and long-term social and economic consequences.  Browse this website for further market commentary and information on the action and support Homes for Scotland is calling on from both the UK and Scottish Governments.