News article 19/09/2012

(Issued 19 September 2012) 

Margaret Burgess, the recently appointed Minister for Housing and Welfare today (19 September) addressed a special conference on innovative housing delivery, in which she encouraged greater partnership working among all sectors.

The Edinburgh event, run by industry body Homes for Scotland, brought together a mix of home builders, Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords to debate practical steps to partnering in the finance and delivery of much needed new homes.

The organisation also utilised the session as a platform to reveal the findings of research evaluating the Scottish Government’s Innovation Fund, of which an initial £10 million was allocated as part of its 2010-11 Affordable Housing Investment Programme.

The organisation’s Chief Executive Philip Hogg said:

“The Housing Minister raised a number of welcome points on the issue of creative funding streams which could make a real difference to the provision of much-needed housing stock, including affordable housing, and we are pleased to hear that delivery remains a key driver for Government housing policy.

“It is encouraging to note our shared views regarding the continued development of innovative partnership working among sectors in order to deliver the housing system that Scotland needs, as highlighted within the findings of our Innovation Fund research report.

“The Minister acknowledged the role Homes for Scotland has taken in promoting innovation and partnership and we will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to explore how the development of strategic partnerships could produce positive impacts on the supply and quality of future housing stock.”

Click here to access the full Homes for Scotland active research report evaluating the Scottish Government's Innovation Fund.