Shelter Scotland demands no backtracking on Aberdeen social housing promises

Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland has insisted that social housing projects cannot be delayed ahead of a crunch vote at Aberdeen City Council’s meeting on Wednesday (24th August).

A report prepared earlier this month by Aberdeen City Council proposed halting development on four council-led housing sites is set to be put to councillors. 

Ahead of the council election in May Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Iain Yuill promised to prioritise the delivery of social housing in office. 

Representatives from the charity also recently met with senior council figures who agreed that building more social homes was key to tackling the housing emergency.

Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said:

“Delaying council-led social housing projects in Aberdeen will entrench the housing emergency in the city and councillors will be failing residents if they vote for any such proposal.

“Pausing projects without a serious plan to deliver the social homes that Aberdonians desperately need simply cannot be an option. 

“Colleagues from Shelter Scotland recently met with the co-leaders of Aberdeen City Council. Everyone in that meeting agreed that social homes are the key to getting people out of temporary accommodation, off long waiting lists and into the homes they need. 

“Indeed, before the election in May Council Co-leader Ian Yuill promised to make delivering social housing a priority for his time in office.

“While we understand there are many issues facing the delivery of social housing, the families currently stuck in temporary accommodation, denied their right to a permanent home, can’t wait a second longer.”

ENDS