Joint Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland
Plan identifying priority actions agreed upon by housing sector representatives to ensure we are able to deliver the objectives set out in our housing strategies.
Section One: Home and Place - Supply, Investment and Planning, Sustainability and Place Making - Actions 1 - 20
Actions 1 - 13 have arisen from many discussions about addressing pinch points which are currently perceived as restricting the supply of new homes. Whether it is securing an effective land supply for housing or ensuring we build good places to live in by working with communities and others to deliver a vision of what people need and want from their home and environs, a clear steer for specific actions to increase supply was given.
Building and renovating new homes is a complex process and requires collaboration with and participation by many organisations, from the supply of finance, to the provision of multiple consents and infrastructure, to ensuring good places are created within the planning system.
While there have been improvements in the provision of subsidy and other supply issues for affordable homes since Homes Fit for the 21 st Century, tackling unmet need remains a Scottish Government priority and Actions 1 and 2 relate to continuing the collaborative work in reviewing subsidy levels and raising private finance.
A major plank of the Scottish Government's housing policy is the Sustainable Housing Strategy. Actions 14 - 16 concern developing robust long term plans, tackling the different fuel poverty and energy efficiency issues in off-gas and rural areas, and behavioural change.
Actions 17 - 20 relate to how the whole housing sector engages with communities to build places people want to live in. A particular focus on town centres builds on the Town Centre Living Strategy and what can be done to create more vibrant communities.
Section 1 Investment, Supply and Planning - Actions 1 - 13
Action 1
The supply of new affordable housing for those in greatest need, including older people and those with disabilities remains a priority action for delivery. In particular, the effective operation of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme subsidy framework is central to this objective, and a commitment to a review important.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
To maintain and increase the momentum of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, combining affordability for tenants with ambition for delivery and cost effective use of public money. |
Provide advice to Ministers on whether adjustments to the current subsidy framework and benchmarks are needed to account for inflation and other financial pressures . |
Scottish Government |
CIH |
Subsidy Working Group Financial Innovation Advisory Group |
Subsidy Working Group convened Spring 2015, to provide evidence for the Scottish Government's Spending Review expected later in 2015. |
Outcome:- The sustainability of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and continuing support for investment in affordable housing through spending reviews.
Action 2
A key factor in increasing affordable housing supply is access to good quality long term private finance for housing associations to complement the subsidy framework detailed at Action 1. This action identifies measures to overcome current issues in delivering private finance and also extends to examining how to assist small builders and developers who face many of the same problems.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. |
More affordable homes financed and built at the scale required, to address need and make maximum use of Scottish Government subsidy support, to increase supply. Attract and enable Pension Funds to invest in affordable housing. Identify further sources of low cost finance to enable more homes to be built. |
Support sector-led body to access finance at scale for RSLs in Scotland to raise initial £150M of long term finance. Consider applicability for SMEs Work with Local Government Pension Scheme Funds, local authorities and others to support and enable investment vehicles to secure long term finance. Access loan funds and other finance opportunities through Europe. Investigate housing finance models from other countries. |
SFHA |
SFT |
SFHA HARIS project is commenced. Focus on social housing delivery. SG working on various proposals. Financial Innovation Advisory Group. Requirement for Plan to pick up SME and European research and issues. |
HARIS legally constituted by end 2015. First long term finance available from 2016/17. Pension Fund Investment from 2015 onwards. Promulgation of information and ideas by 2016. |
Outcome:- availability of good quality private finance options for housing associations and SMEs, resulting in increased housing supply.
Action 3
Although self-build and custom build homes are not currently major contributors to housing supply in terms of numbers, they are valuable mechanisms to help people to house themselves, particularly in rural areas. These projects also support small builders through work to construct homes and provide benefits for the local economy. This action looks to expand provision by this route.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. |
Find opportunities to support increased self-build and custom build activities in rural and urban Scotland. |
Review of best practice, current mechanisms, initiatives and barriers, including finance. Recommendations to Scottish Government and Ministers on any specific measures to promote these tenures. |
Scottish Government |
CML |
Significant experience in delivery available and opportunity to identify ways of increasing supply. |
Report produced late 2015, and accepted recommendations introduced 2016/17. |
Outcome:- Increased options for people to own and fund their own homes and more opportunities for SMEs to undertake small scale house construction projects.
Action 4
For delivery of housing supply at scale, the provision of infrastructure such as schools, roads, sewers and water, has to take account of current and future demands to make the best use of investment. Opportunities to collaborate should be consistent and effective.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4. |
Improve alignment of public and private sector infrastructure provision such as roads, water and sewerage, with national plans for housing, to deliver sustainable development through the Development Plan process. |
Seek an active, strong and visible alignment between key agencies and housing plans and investment. Recommend improvements in communication and joint planning between infrastructure agencies at a local level, including a mutual understanding of capacities, thresholds and investment timescales. |
Scottish Government Housing Supply and Innovation Division. HoPS |
Key Agencies Group, other private national utilities, HoPS, CS, HfS. Finance and Budget providers within Scottish Government and key agencies. Local authorities, Scottish Water, SEPA, HfS |
Key Agencies Group, HfS Utilities Group. |
Practice improvements identified and agreed Autumn 2015. Further action identified and agreed end 2015. |
Outcome:- Increase pace of housing supply through infrastructure investment which supports housing development.
Action 5
There are many practical examples of financing and delivering infrastructure within housing developments in Scotland which have overcome impediments to building new homes. This also applies to strategic infrastructure delivery. This action uses existing experience and knowledge to increase the speed of development through national promulgation and pilots.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. |
Improve knowledge and practical use of strategic and local infrastructure funding and delivery models, to increase the pace of development and to ensure fair and proportionate use of developer contributions. |
Consider the report and recommendations from the infrastructure research commissioned by Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division and any policy response. Use the experience of the House Building Infrastructure Loan Fund, to inform pilot projects to accelerate house building on selected key sites. |
Scottish Government PAD Scottish Government |
Local Authorities |
Research commissioned by PAD, findings are disseminated and discussed. Development of pilot underway. |
Report expected June 2015 followed by national and local consideration of options. Loan finance confirmed by 2016. |
Outcome:- Clearer understanding of the range of effective mechanisms to fund infrastructure to enable development to move forward.
Action 6
The processes and timescales associated with obtaining separate planning and roads consents can be impediments to the speed at which developments can move forward. While both require to go through due process there remains scope to streamline the way in which developers interact with local authorities and the engagement between planning and roads teams when seeking consents.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6. |
Improve timescales and processes associated with development consents. |
Implement work on aligning planning and other consents in four local authority pilot areas to speed up the time from application to approvals. |
Scottish Government PAD. |
HoPS |
Project commenced. |
Pilots complete, April 2015, next steps identified and taken forward by end 2015. |
Outcome:- Better and faster delivery of housing through speedier consents.
Action 7
Housing development has an impact over many generations and requires to encompass forward thinking on a long term basis. Often short term considerations skew housing delivery and impact on community support for development. This action embeds the need for people to engage in and shape long term master plans and visions for where they live or want to live.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. |
Develop long term visions and master plans for places underpinned by broad stakeholder and community engagement to encourage support and understanding of the importance of housing. |
Pilot and share a range of approaches for development plans using mapping techniques to support and encourage more engagement by communities. |
Scottish Government/ A&DS |
Local Authorities, |
Planning, Land and Infrastructure Delivery Group. |
Identify pilot authority by Summer 2015 and agree timescale for progression. |
Outcome:- More public support for housing development and buy in to long term visions for communities and places.
Action 8
A major impediment to the delivery of housing supply has been a lack of information about how quickly and realistically some sites identified for housing development can be built on. There are many reasons why progress is delayed but it is important that the planning process can identify those developments with good prospects for new homes within a reasonable timescale.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8. |
Earlier and more rigorous consideration of the viability and deliverability of key sites in Development Plans. More effective use of action programmes. |
Develop a process to support an early test of deliverability of housing sites in development plans, including input of key agencies. Pilot the use of action programmes to support deliverability. |
Scottish Government PAD |
Local authorities |
Working Group on effective land supply convened, early 2015. |
Process development and tested by 2015. |
Outcome:- Increase in housing supply by increased focus on deliverability of housing sites in Development Plans.
Action 9
Scotland has a large mass of land, but identifying an effective land supply for housing development within the Development Plan process can be controversial. This action is to draw together public and private sector experience and views as to how we identify and agree what is an effective land supply, to ensure best practice informs the planning process.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9. |
Ensure a generous supply of land for housing is maintained and an agreed effective supply is identified for a minimum of 5 years at any time within the planning process. |
Agree and promote the use of more robust, realistic and consistent definitions of effectiveness. More consistent local recording of the current effective land supply and development of national open information systems on land and land use. |
Scottish Government PAD |
HoPS, |
Current working group led by PAD and HSD, including partners to evolve actions. Existing sources of land information available. |
Joint understanding of effectiveness agreed Summer 2015. Land information project 2016. |
Outcome: - Public and private sector agreement on a definition of effective land supply and more housing projects proceeding with better information.
Action 10
Important recommendations have been identified in the work undertaken by the Land Reform Review Group and the RICS Commission on Housing in Scotland. This action allows in-depth consideration of these reports, particularly views on land assembly and use of statutory powers, in the light of further work on CPOs being undertaken by the Scottish Law Commission.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10. |
Give due consideration to the Land Reform Review report and the RICS views on CPOs and land assembly generally, with a view to identifying recommendations to Ministers. |
Scottish Law Commission current consultation on compulsory purchase. Scope relevant report recommendations and alternatives. |
Scottish Government |
CoSLA |
CPO consultation underway, responses to Land Reform Review report consultation available shortly. |
June 2015 for responses to Scottish Law Commission. Summer 2015 any further consultation on land assembly for housing and regeneration. |
Outcome:- recommendations covering use of CPOs and Land Assembly measures which can then be used to further facilitate housing development and regeneration.
Action 11
Small scale builders and developers in Scotland have found particular problems during the economic crisis in continuing to build homes. They require measures to support their activities because of the local employment they provide, the choice they offer to individuals and the areas in which they operate. This action identifies such measures.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11. |
Preserving existing activity and unlocking further capacity for smaller builders to deliver homes. |
Identify the current barriers facing smaller builders in accessing cost effective development finance and scoping actions. Implement the actions relating to SMEs within the Review of Procurement in Construction (2014), to enable better access to public sector contracts. Ensure that this includes training and support in public procurement. Improve understanding of the planning process through support in the pre application process and raising the quality of applications. |
Scottish Government HSID Scottish Government HSID HoPS |
HfS |
£ 30m Help to Buy Fund for smaller developers and projects. Housing Procurement Implementation Group Construction Review Delivery Group See Action 2 |
Procurement recommendations underway, 2015. Report on barriers and actions by end 2015. Planning process support - guidance and training undertaken by 2016. |
Outcome:- More homes delivered by SME builders.
Action 12
Increasing the supply of new housing also depends on capacity within the development industry and supply chains which can deliver the resources required. The economic crisis has seen many people leave the construction industry and this action considers ways to get the skills we need to deliver. It also looks at issues within the industries that literally supply the bricks and mortar.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. |
Improve development skills and experience in all sectors and teams to ensure sufficient resource to maintain and expand new supply. Gain information about the supply chains within the development industry to identify strengths and weaknesses. |
Undertake a Learning Needs Analysis across sectors and identify gaps. Design and deliver agreed training programmes based on multi professional and cross organisational approaches. Use the information gained about supply chains to enable more effective provision of materials and skills. |
A&DS Construction Innovation Centre |
RICS, RIAS ALACHO SFHA/ GWSF SHARE (Training Agency) |
Anecdotal evidence on shortages needs to be evidenced by information. |
Learning Needs Analysis to be undertaken by end 2015. Training programme agreed by 2016 with on-going delivery. |
Outcome:- Sufficient resources within the housing development industry to deliver new homes and undertake regeneration projects.
Action 13
How people can access their own home through home ownership has changed profoundly since the economic crisis, with larger deposits and tightening credit making access to affordable home ownership difficult. The Scottish Government is working with the public and private sectors to provide financial and other measures to assist home ownership and this action will ensure on-going review of these.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. |
Understand the extent to which there is an on-going need for public sector shared equity or other demand side schemes to support the new build industry. |
Provide advice to Ministers on possible options for demand side support for 2017/18 onwards. |
Scottish Government HSID |
HfS |
Working Group currently established. |
Advice by 2015. |
Outcome:- Better information about what measures are necessary to support the new build industry and target resources.
Sustainability Actions 14 - 16
Actions on sustainability in housing are central to combating global climate change and mitigating fuel poverty and the detrimental health and social impacts of cold, damp and poorly heated homes. The 2013 Sustainable Housing Strategy sets out a 'route map to 2030'. This action is to expand on the route map and embed long term planning measures into how we deal with these priorities and to ensure clear accountability for delivery and resources across all sectors and housing tenures.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14. |
Develop a long-term plan covering climate change and fuel poverty with more robust and measureable milestones and resource allocation that will ensure full delivery of the Sustainable Housing Strategy. Ensure strategies include existing private stock condition measures and programmes. |
Set new targets and a clear route map identifying responsibility for delivery of outcomes and where resources and support will be made available over the long term. Put in place a means to evaluate and review 10 to 15 year plans so they remain relevant. Continue the work of the REEPS group to tackle measures to deal with energy efficiency and for the Common Housing Quality Standard virtual forum to look at the condition of existing stock. |
Scottish Government Scottish Government |
ALACHO |
Project Delivery Group - partners. REEPS Stakeholder Group. |
Long term plan by 2016. Evaluation process 2016. Consultation Spring 2015. |
Outcome:- More effective and measurable achievement of reductions in the effects of climate change and fuel poverty.
Action 15
Fuel poverty is prevalent in all parts of Scotland, but the availability of mains gas and standard tariffs varies, such that many rural and island areas are unable to use these fuel sources resulting in significantly higher heating costs. Yet many energy efficiency and fuel poverty measures are "one size fits all". This action focuses on what can be done to tackle this problem.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. |
Tackle issues of persistent high levels of fuel poverty and low energy efficiency in rural and off gas grid areas. |
Develop a specific set of actions relevant to rural/remote/off gas properties and feed these in to work on development of fuel poverty policy and on new energy efficiency programmes making use of powers devolved under the Smith Commission process. Make recommendations to UK government on ensuring SAP methodology adequately accounts for properties in Scotland. |
Scottish Government |
RIHAF |
HIAHG has been formed with work plan. Fuel Poverty Forum action plan. Work undertaken through development of consultation on Regulation of Energy Efficiency in existing private housing ( REEPS). |
Actions developed and agreed by 2016. Report end 2015. |
Outcome:- A set of measurable actions which take account of the issues in rural and off grid areas, and which make it easier and more affordable to heat homes in these areas.
Action 16
Peoples' decision making about what kind of home they want to rent or buy is not necessarily influenced by its energy efficiency, despite the use of Home Reports with energy performance certificates. Likewise energy efficiency is not a high priority for people when investing in and improving their homes. This action recognises that the general public and professionals need to change how they view energy efficiency so it becomes a key consideration when moving home or undertaking improvements.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. |
Change people's perceptions to place more value on the energy efficiency of their homes and the desirability of investing in measures to reduce energy use and carbon emissions and/or when purchasing a new home. Use of all evidence and data available to inform the above and raise awareness. |
Develop a long term communications and marketing strategy and associated campaign which complements the Sustainable Housing Strategy to drive change. Engage with property professions to understand perceptions about energy efficiency. Identify levers to influence buyer/renter behaviour so that energy efficient homes are more desirable and are able to attract a market premium. Learn from and link into experience of public health campaigns i.e. fuel poverty and health. |
Scottish Government RICS |
Fuel Poverty Forum |
Need to identify budget for campaign across multiple media, but making use of partners' resources and joint opportunities. |
2015 to 2020. Agree on issues, 2015/16 Recommendations for any change, 2016. Report on lessons and opportunities, 2015. |
Outcome:- Increase in awareness and demand for energy efficient homes and a long term continuing communications campaign.
Place making Actions 17 - 20
People want to influence what happens in their neighbourhood but often regeneration and new housing can appear to happen despite community wishes and concerns. Planning processes now include community consultation and there are examples of where good quality housing, integrated to the wider infrastructure and place, has worked well and been supported by all.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17. |
Develop a clear understanding of meaningful community engagement in the development and planning process to build on the Scottish Government commitment to community led regeneration and new communities. Improve community capacity building in all sectors of the community including those with particular needs, through support from community anchor organisations and other local agencies. |
Identify four exemplar projects - two rural and two urban - which illustrate good community engagement and the creation of better places. Create a flexible community led housing alliance to support and build capacity in rural communities that wish to improve local housing. Draw out the lessons learned and promulgate good practice. Produce community capacity building programmes - training, support and guidance - and also identify existing resources. |
Development Trust Association Rural Housing Scotland, DGSCHT |
Scottish Government Shelter, CAB, TPAS, TIS, Share |
There are many good projects so it may be possible to expand examples. Existing training and support providers. Explore direct funding for community capacity building. |
Report and advice by 2015. Programmes by 2015/6. |
Outcome:- More projects proceeding with community support, leading to shorter planning consent achievement times and better places.
Action 18
Scotland is a nation of small towns and burghs which over the centuries have provided places where people have lived and worked. Expansion has seen homes move out of town centres and the different way we now shop has seen in some instances, decline. New housing for a range of needs can bring life back into town centres and this action is to deliver specific demonstration projects.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18. |
To increase the provision of housing in town centres by using regeneration opportunities on small sites to build new or refurbished homes. |
Partnership working between local authorities and the construction industry - particularly smaller builders - to identify and develop solutions that will deliver housing on specific identified demonstration sites. Build homes on the demonstration sites and promulgate experiences and lessons. |
Local authorities who want to promote sites. |
Scottish Government |
Local authorities can identify appropriate sites and infrastructure finance. Private sector can bring development finance for viable projects. SG Town Centre Housing Fund and £4m Town Centre Empty Homes Fund. |
Sites and partners identified early 2016. Delivery and lessons learned, 2017. |
Outcome:- More use of brownfield town centre sites for housing by private builders, with marketability and viability demonstrated.
Action 19
Town centre housing provision has many challenges, not least of which is maximising the use of any sites to achieve viability. This has equated to the construction of flats, which while they address need, is not always the best regeneration outcome. This action promulgates examples of solutions which maintain density, but expand diversity and the range of households.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19. |
Demonstration of solutions to increase the density, range and diversity of housing in town centres. |
Work with architects, constructors and designers to promulgate examples and guidance. Demonstrate viability of such proposals. Identify marketing and valuation issues. |
Scottish Government |
A&DS |
Use existing experience and knowledge. Identify good practice. Use learning from Town Centre Housing Fund and Town Centre Empty Homes Fund. |
Publication of Guidance 2016. |
Outcome : - More diverse housing projects in town centres and a more diverse group of people living there, including families.
Action 20
While Scotland's waiting lists for housing of all tenures is ever present, there remain in many cities, villages and towns, empty homes which could potentially be brought into good use to house people. In many cases this is not a simple process and requires intensive work by agencies to support owners and tenants. This action is to build on the good work being done by local authorities and others such as Shelter.
| Ref |
Purpose |
Actions |
Leadership |
Possible Partners |
Current Status and Resources |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20. |
Expansion of the Empty Homes Partnership and a simplified funding stream to bring properties back into use. |
Case study into role of Local Authority Empty Property Officers to capture best practice. Review of funding and other mechanisms to offer incentives and set requirements to encourage owners to bring property into use. |
Shelter |
Local authorities |
Use of information to expand and increase role and effectiveness. Identify effective mechanisms. |
Report 2015/16. Review of effectiveness 2016/17. |
Outcome:- More empty properties brought into effective use.
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