Scotland’s minister for Local Government, Housing, and Planning has shared a number of details of what will be included in the upcoming Housing to 2040 roadmap.
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) annual Scottish housing festival – which this year took place virtually due to COVID restrictions – Kevin Stewart revealed that the roadmap outlines plans for a Rented Sector Strategy that will “improve accessibility, affordability, and standards” across the whole industry.
He said doing so would increase affordability and quality of choice when finding a home.
Turning his attention to the private sector, Stewart said the roadmap will “reshape” existing rent pressure zone legislation, so that local authorities will be better equipped to deal with unreasonably high rents.
“We need to address the economic impacts of the pandemic and ensure homes are affordable now and in the long term,” he said.
The government plans to enshrine these changes into law, the Housing minister said, depending on the outcome of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections in May.
Overall, the Housing to 2040 roadmap will respond to issues such as the challenging of an ageing population, the need for more accessible housing, and the right to live in an adequate home, Stewart said.
It will also outline the government’s plan for a housing sector that is greener, affordable, and which “brings an end” to homelessness.
The roadmap will have lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic “built in”.
“We need to work on the excellent work that has been done already,” Stewart concluded.
The Housing to 2040 roadmap will become the first ever long-term housing plan for Scotland when it is published next week.
Image: Scottish Housing minister Kevin Stewart
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