Minister pledges Perthshire housing support

Jul 20 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A TOP minister has insisted the Scottish Government are “doing all they can” to make more affordable housing available in Perthshire.

Housing and communities figurehead Alex Neil made the claim while visiting several developments in Perth.

After planting a tree outside Rutherford Court on Leonard Street – named after the late St Johnstone legend Drew Rutherford – Mr Neil declared: “We’ve invested over £1.2 million to deliver these 16 new flats in the centre of Perth.

“Over the last three years, we’ve invested nearly £44 million in affordable housing in the Perth and Kinross area, and we’re injecting over £2 million to build 81 new council houses.”

Rutherford Court is being jointly carried out by the Kingdom Housing Association and the local Fairfield Housing Co-operative.

Fairfield director Grant Ager outlined an “unprecedented demand” for the flats, which are set to be completed in September.

He said: “This is the first new development of affordable flats in the centre of Perth for three or four years and there is clearly a huge, pent-up, desire for them.

“It underlines the case for continued investment in affordable housing.”

Kingdom have earmarked several projects throughout Perthshire in the near future.

Chief executive Alan McGuckin explained: “Together with Fairfield, we have been able to deliver almost 100 new houses for affordable rent in Perthshire.

“We are currently undertaking a development in Scone that will include flats designed for tenants with special needs, and will be transferred to Fairfield on completion.

“We also intend to acquire an affordable housing site in Errol in the next year.”

Mr Neil also paid a visit to Perth and Kinross Council’s new housing advice centre in York Place.

The facility provides advice and information to residents and private sector landlords.

The Holyrood minister said: “It’s interesting to hear what is being done to make more accommodation available for local people – such as the innovative PKC Lets social letting scheme.”

Local authority housing and health committee convener Peter Barrett added: “Our housing advice centre has only been open a short while, but it is already helping residents to find a home that meets their needs.”