27,000 affordable homes

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

Taking part in a debate on housing and homelessness last night Alison McInnes outlined the Scottish Liberal Democrat plans for tackling housing need.

The meeting, held in Aberdeen, was organised by Langstane Housing Association and Aberdeen Cyrenians.

McInnes explained that Scottish Liberal Democrats will deliver an additional 9,000 new affordable homes for rent and sale each year - an extra 27,000 over the period of the next spending review. (2008 -2011)

They will build environmentally sustainable homes, producing cleaner, safer communities, and will make creating warm dry homes a health priority and upgrade at least 40,000 homes per year.

Community land trusts will be established to deliver affordable housing - People in a local community who can choose how they want to use the land. If the trust decides to build housing there is an agreement stating that any sell-offs which lead to individual profits must be shared with the new owners.

Investment in strategic water and sewerage infrastructure in rural areas will made, with £200 million to help release development constraints, and £41m for first time connections in rural areas.

She went on to say "It is clear from statistics that across the north east we need more affordable homes. The number of people in temporary accommodation in the city and shire last year was 316 and those on the main house waiting list amounted to over 10,000.

House prices are soaring - The average house price in Aberdeenshire in 2006 was £162,000 and in the city £160,000

"Homelessness has no place in 21st century Scotland and having a home shouldn't be a crippling financial commitment. That is why we will invest in 27,000 affordable houses for rent and sale. We think Liberal Democrat policies on housing and homelessness promise a bright future for everyone in Scotland."