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NewsArticle-23-11-2010

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HFS manifesto calls on next Government to back investment in bricks and mortar

Help to fix the broken housing ladder, enable us to build more homes, create jobs and tackle climate change. 

That’s the powerful message Homes for Scotland (HFS) hopes will be positively received at a special gathering of Scotland’s MSPs at Holyrood this evening (Tuesday 23 Nov) when the industry body goes public with its election manifesto.

As the body that represents the interests of 200 members, including house builders who provide 95% of Scotland’s new private housing stock, Homes for Scotland (HFS) believes political support for house building from whoever is in power after the next election is vital to kick-start the economy and create up to 38,000 new jobs.

HFS argues that over the lifetime of the next Scottish Parliament, if the Scottish Government took action to facilitate a 10% annual increase in private sector house building, as many as 38,000 jobs and over 1,100 apprenticeships could be delivered. At the same time, significant impact could be made on climate change targets and access improved to an increased range of housing options. 

The manifesto will also highlight and offer practical solutions to address the fact many first time buyers, including front-line workers in the £15,000-£32,500 salary bracket, struggle to secure a mortgage but are a low priority for state assisted housing. Among a range of options, HFS wants to see an increase in the flow of mortgage finance to help such first-time buyers.

Chief Executive Jonathan Fair (right), said:

"Whilst the aspiration of Scots to own their own home has increased over the last three years despite the economic backdrop, private sector production has effectively halved and mortgage lending is at a ten year low. If the next administration takes appropriate action to help repair the broken housing ladder and leverage private sector investment in housing across all tenures, the size of the available prize is both massive and achievable.

"Scotland now has the opportunity to lead the way in defining a new housing model which will meet the needs and aspirations of its population. The question, however, is who will be bold enough to seize it?"

Click here to read Homes for Scotland's manifesto.

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Enquiries to:
Jennifer Kennedy, Homes for Scotland – 0131 455 8350 / 07763 240694

Notes to Editors:

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 private homes each year, contributed £6bn to the economy and supported the employment of 100,000 people (2007 figures)

As a result of the economic downturn, housing supply is now touching all time lows. This is having far-reaching and long-term social and economic consequences for Scotland's population.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/H_F_S.

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