Tavish Scott, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland is demanding that the Scottish Government bring forward the full £100 million it promised for affordable housing in order to avert a predicted crisis in affordable housing.

Homes for Scotland analysis published today, shows that without a programme of public investment, alongside UK-wide action to tackle the mortgage crisis, the Scottish Government’s timescales for building new homes will be shattered.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

“Hostile market conditions are taking their toll on Scotland’s housing market. Companies have laid off construction workers and Homes for Scotland is warning that without radical action, the Scottish Government will miss its targets for building new homes. This cannot be allowed to happen.

“That is why I am urging the Scottish Government to bring forward the full £100 million it promised would be invested in affordable housing to this year. Instead of staged investment, planned by the Government, I believe that the full amount should be pumped into the economy now to save construction jobs and drive forward the housing programme.

“Housing Associations and Councils should then be invited to bid for a share of this money now to drive forward their affordable homes programmes. Waiting until April next year might be too late.”