MORE homes are needed locally to tackle recruitment challenges in health and social care, schools, policing, forestry and farming, according to new research.
A report titled ‘Key Worker Homes in the South of Scotland’ is published today by South of Scotland Community Housing in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council, South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Futures Trust.
Their research has demonstrated that a shortage of the right homes in the right places is having a significant impact upon key worker recruitment and retention in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, affecting thousands of staff and posts in health, social care, education, policing and the land-based industries.
And work is planned to try and reverse the situation, with key priorities for action now identified to deliver more key worker homes where they are most needed.
South of Scotland Enterprise chair Russel Griggs OBE said: “Key worker homes are essential to our region. This research is a first for the South of Scotland and the recommendations will allow partners across the South of Scotland to take proactive evidence-based actions to address this issue.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Cllr Gail Macgregor said: “Access to suitable accommodation is essential for our key workers, supporting the sustainability of vital services for local people. We need to ensure we have the right homes, in the right places for them. This research helps us all understand what we collectively need to deliver in partnership with employers.”
Mike Staples, from South of Scotland Community Housing, said: “The collaborative nature of this work has underpinned the importance of supplying the right mix of homes to sustain services and grow critical sectors in Southern Scotland. We look forward to continuing to work with partners to drive forward the report recommendations, including the key role community-led housing can play in meeting localised need.”
Jenny Davies, of Scottish Futures Trust, added: “Scotland’s need for key worker housing has never been greater with the lack of affordable and available housing causing local authorities across Scotland to struggle in attracting and retaining people who are fundamental to delivering key services and contributing to the economic growth in their area.
“We are delighted to have worked with partners on this valuable piece of work to understand the housing demand and need for these key workers in the South of Scotland and the positive impact that additional homes could have on regional economic growth. We very much look forward to continuing our work with the South of Scotland group to support actions to deliver much needed homes in the area.”
* The full report can be read at www.southofscotlandrep.com
