By-Election Candidates Back 10,000 Homes

The five main candidates in the Glasgow North East by-election all backed the need for 10,000 new affordable rented homes, at a packed and unusually polite hustings event organised by the SFHA in Springburn last night (Wednesday, 4th November).

Over 50 people, comprising ordinary members of the public, housing association staff, councillors and the odd-MSP, packed into the Glasgow North Regeneration Agency to hear the five give their views on housing and answer questions.

Labour’s Willie Bain, himself a tenant of North Glasgow Housing Association told the audience:

“Housing associations have made a vast improvement in the quality of socil housing, but we can’t rest on our laurels…I’m happy to sign up to the pledge to build 10,000 homes a year, and will campaign for the funds to do this. We have to campaign for the extra funds from Holyrood and Westminster to meet these ambitious but achievable targets.”

David Kerr of the SNP, was also impressed with housing associations on the community model and supported extra funding for new homes, adding:

“I’m glad that the Labour Party have now joined the Scottish Government campaign for capital acceleration (from Westminster)…around £350m worth.”

A specific question from the audience on whether each candidate supported the target, saw the Liberal Democrats Eileen Baxendale, Conservative Ruth Davidson and Scottish Greens’ David Doherty all back it.

Mr Bain asked Mr Kerr: “You didn’t commite to 10,000 homes a year. I’m giving you the opportunity to say yes.” Mr Kerr replied: “Yes.”

Other topics for discussion included housing benefit, stock transfer, private build affordable housing, and the Right to Buy.

SFHA Deputy Chief Executive Andrew Field said:

“This was an extremely interesting and well-attended event, just a week ahead of this key by-election. The SFHA is always working to raise the profile of housing and the cause of housing associations and I was delighted to see these candidates here tonight debating the issues.”

The event was chaired by Lorna Paterson, SFHA Vice-Chair and Chair of Fife HA, and held at Glasgow North Regeneration Agency Conference Centre, Springburn. Voters in Glasgow North East go to the polls on 12th November.

For a more detailed report on the events of last night, pick up the December edition of Housing Scotland magazine.