In response to a huge increase in investment by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in Affordable Housing in the Outer Hebrides, NUDC has been working hard to ensure that more housing opportunities are available for North Uist residents, and for those who would like to live here but are unable to find accommodation. The Comhairle is set to receive over £25 million, as part of the Scottish Government’s More Homes Scotland (MHS) programme, which will deliver 50,000 affordable homes nationally by 2021/22. This is defined as housing that is of a reasonable quality and is affordable to people on modest incomes. It may be in the form of social rented accommodation, mid-market rented accommodation, shared ownership, shared equity and discounted low cost housing for sale. Locally the programme will be delivered through Hebridean Housing Partnership, as the Registered Social Landlord for this local authority area.
Unfortunately for Uist, according to the first iteration of the Comhairle’s Strategic Housing Plan (SHiP) the vast majority of this funding is to be invested in Stornoway and the surrounding area, with little reaching the rest of the Outer Hebrides. This would mean that Uist would receive only 29 affordable housing units. All of these units as social rented accommodation, with no shared equity opportunities available in Uist.
NUDC partnered with the Community Council and other local partners to create an online survey to assess the demand for Affordable Housing on Uist. Carried out in November 2017, Uist residents, as well as respondents on the mainland with Uist connections, were invited to complete the survey. The final report is available to download below, and shows a clear desire for more housing opportunities. Despite only running for a month, 343 surveys were completed, which not only highlights the importance of housing availability for the people who live here and those who would like to, but also provides a rigorous analysis of housing needs on Uist.
Some of the key findings were as follows:
- There is strong demand, especially among the younger generation for Shared Equity schemes. 78.1% of those who responded would be interested in buying a property, with 36.6% interested in a Shared Equity scheme. This rises to 43.0% for those under 35.
- The biggest barrier for respondents to live where they would like on Uist is the lack of housing in the area (45.5%), compared to cost of housing (28.6%) and lack of employment (25.9%).
- 79.3% of respondents would be interested in a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom house, illustrating that many of those who responded are seeking housing for a family, and not just as individuals.
- The majority of those respondents who live on Uist are happy where they are (84.5%) and the majority of respondents who don’t live on Uist would like to relocate there (86.1%). This is largely due to the environment, safety, peace and quiet, and sense of community.
It is hoped this evidence of demand for more affordable housing sites on Uist, including opportunities for shared equity, will influence the Comhairle’s strategy and more resources will be allocated to Uist. NUDC believes that providing new affordable homes and facilitating self-builds would make a substantial impact on local businesses, tourism, local schools and the future sustainability, cohesion and prosperity of what is currently a fragile community with an ageing population.
You can download the final study report here.
Unfortunately for Uist, according to the first iteration of the Comhairle’s Strategic Housing Plan (SHiP) the vast majority of this funding is to be invested in Stornoway and the surrounding area, with little reaching the rest of the Outer Hebrides. This would mean that Uist would receive only 29 affordable housing units. All of these units as social rented accommodation, with no shared equity opportunities available in Uist.
NUDC partnered with the Community Council and other local partners to create an online survey to assess the demand for Affordable Housing on Uist. Carried out in November 2017, Uist residents, as well as respondents on the mainland with Uist connections, were invited to complete the survey. The final report is available to download below, and shows a clear desire for more housing opportunities. Despite only running for a month, 343 surveys were completed, which not only highlights the importance of housing availability for the people who live here and those who would like to, but also provides a rigorous analysis of housing needs on Uist.
Some of the key findings were as follows:
- There is strong demand, especially among the younger generation for Shared Equity schemes. 78.1% of those who responded would be interested in buying a property, with 36.6% interested in a Shared Equity scheme. This rises to 43.0% for those under 35.
- The biggest barrier for respondents to live where they would like on Uist is the lack of housing in the area (45.5%), compared to cost of housing (28.6%) and lack of employment (25.9%).
- 79.3% of respondents would be interested in a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom house, illustrating that many of those who responded are seeking housing for a family, and not just as individuals.
- The majority of those respondents who live on Uist are happy where they are (84.5%) and the majority of respondents who don’t live on Uist would like to relocate there (86.1%). This is largely due to the environment, safety, peace and quiet, and sense of community.
It is hoped this evidence of demand for more affordable housing sites on Uist, including opportunities for shared equity, will influence the Comhairle’s strategy and more resources will be allocated to Uist. NUDC believes that providing new affordable homes and facilitating self-builds would make a substantial impact on local businesses, tourism, local schools and the future sustainability, cohesion and prosperity of what is currently a fragile community with an ageing population.
You can download the final study report here.
North Uist Development Company, Claddach Kirkibost Centre, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5EP.; [email protected]
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
