Scotland’s Rural Housing to Shut Down

Rural Housing Scotland (RHS), the charity dedicated to supporting Scotland’s rural communities in securing affordable local housing, is sadly set to close its doors after over 20 years of dedicated service.

Established in February 2001, RHS had a clear mission to help rural communities across Scotland address housing needs, alleviate rural homelessness, and improve poor housing conditions. With the tagline ‘local homes: national voice’, the charity passionately advocated for rural housing solutions and worked as a powerful force for change.

Despite its success and the increasing need for rural housing, RHS faced significant financial challenges due to insufficient funding in recent years. In a heartfelt statement, the charity announced the difficult decision to close its operations due to the lack of core funding.

Wendy Reid, chair of RHS, expressed, “The challenges facing rural housing have not diminished, and it saddens us to announce the closure of Rural Housing Scotland. Nevertheless, we take pride in the role RHS has played in shedding light on critical issues and raising awareness among policymakers and the public.”

RHS extended its deepest gratitude to its devoted staff, board of directors, supporters, funders, communities, and landowners it partnered with over the years. While RHS will no longer be active, the need for affordable housing in rural areas remains pressing. The charity urges others to continue its work, ensuring that Scotland’s rural and island communities thrive with affordable and inspiring homes.

Throughout its history, RHS worked tirelessly to overcome the unique challenges of providing housing in rural areas. The organisation collaborated with communities, policymakers, and partners to address the high costs and complexities of rural housing development. These grassroots efforts not only informed local projects but also influenced policies and funding organisations to better address the needs of rural communities.

RHS was known for its innovative approaches, such as the introduction of local housing needs surveys. One remarkable instance involved a staff member conducting surveys with ferry passengers travelling to and from the Isle of Mull. This spirit of innovation was a hallmark of RHS, as the organisation continually sought new ways to meet the housing needs of rural communities.

An essential event in the rural housing landscape was the annual RHS conference, attracting ministers, government officials, housing associations, academics, funders, and community groups. Held at venues like the Birnam Arts Centre and Aviemore, the conference facilitated discussions, shared best practices, and explored new ideas for addressing rural housing challenges. It became a platform for building the collective voice of the rural housing sector, advocating for increased investment and policy support.

Other organisations have also highlighted the housing challenges in rural communities. Community Land Scotland recently called for young people to have a legal right to live in the communities where they grew up. Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) expressed deep sadness at the closure of Rural Housing Scotland.

Patrick Colquhoun, vice-chair of policy at SLE, remarked, “The work of Rural Housing Scotland has made a meaningful difference in supporting rural communities to secure affordable housing. Their innovative approaches and commitment to raising awareness of housing issues have been instrumental in highlighting the challenges we face.”

Colquhoun continued, “The closure of Rural Housing Scotland must serve as a wakeup call for the Scottish Government as they have already declared a housing emergency. It seems short-sighted that a charity addressing the root causes of depopulation cannot continue operating, indicating a worsening situation with a disproportionate impact on rural communities.”

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