Highlands Housing Summit tackles housing issue.

The Highland Council has called a Housing Challenge Summit to address the housing crisis in the Highlands. This summit aims to bring together all stakeholders from national and local government, as well as the private sector in the fields of energy, housing development, and commerce, to tackle the region’s ‘Housing Challenge’.

The Housing Challenge was declared by the Highland Council after an event in November 2023. By June 2024, strategic objectives were agreed upon to find solutions to the housing crisis in the Highland region.

Today, on 22nd October, the summit is taking place in Aviemore in partnership with Prosper, sponsored by SSEN, Burness Paull, and The Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB). Housing Minister Paul McLennan will be in attendance to deliver a keynote speech to the delegates.

McLennan expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating: “I am pleased to be attending Highland Council’s Housing Challenge Summit and discussing with stakeholders ways to collaborate in delivering the homes our communities need. Addressing the housing emergency requires a joint approach between the Scottish Government, UK Government, and local authorities, and this summit provides a valuable opportunity to find ways to provide more homes for Highland communities.”

Convener of The Highland Council, Bill Lobban, who will be chairing the summit, remarked: “I am delighted to welcome Housing Minister Paul McLennan and over 100 delegates from various sectors, whose input will be crucial in addressing the housing challenge in the Highlands.

“Affordable housing is a pressing issue in every Highland community, making it a high priority in the council’s programme. With many socio-economic benefits linked to housing provision, including boosting the construction industry and reversing depopulation, addressing this challenge is essential for the region’s economic growth.”

Chair of the Council’s Housing and Property Committee, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, highlighted the significant challenges ahead, with an anticipated need for 24,000 new homes in the next decade. This demand is driven by economic modelling, including the development of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Free Port.

Leader of The Highland Council, Raymond Bremner, emphasised the need for accelerated efforts to meet the housing challenge, requiring an additional investment of around £2.8 billion. Bremner stressed the importance of public-private sector collaboration and increasing land supply for housing and development.

Chief executive of Prosper, Sara Thiam, acknowledged the impact of housing on various aspects of life, underscoring the need to overcome challenges to facilitate growth across industries and improve quality of life for residents.

The summit will focus on the council’s objectives, including financing mechanisms, innovative housing construction methods, ownership flexibility, and land supply optimization to address the housing crisis effectively.

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