Cabinet Secretary says the Scottish Government “needs to do more” to offer people high-quality affordable housing as she visited Dumbarton Harbour.
Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, visited the official opening of Dunbritton’s new 150-unit social housing development at Dumbarton Harbour.
Representatives from the Association and the council were joined by Ms Robison, who unveiled the viewing platform.
The development looks to address the growing need for affordable housing within the town, whilst looking to link in with the culture and heritage of the location.
This official opening comes following a report, released by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and conducted by YouGov, which found that two-thirds of people in Scotland do not believe there is enough good quality low-cost housing available for rent in their local area.
Shona Robison MSP, spoke to the Lennox regarding the new development and how it is critical that the Scottish Government do more to offer affordable good-quality housing like it, she said: “There is always more to do.
“We have delivered a lot of new homes, roughly about 111,000 since 2007. But there is far more to do.
“We have this new target of 110,000 by 2032. We need to keep the momentum going because people are crying out for safe, warm affordable homes.
“In the current climate of the cost of living crisis, having homes which are more affordable to heat and which have more affordable rents is really important, so we do need to do more.
“We work very closely with SFHA because their members are critical through housing associations and across the councils to work with us and deliver those homes.
“The Scottish Government provides a good chunk of the money, but it is organisations like Dunbritton and others, which find the land, get the money in place and find the contractors which make these projects happen.”
The development is based on the grounds where the old distillery used to be, with effort having been put into making sure it honours that history.
This includes the red bricks used in honour of the distillery to the provision of benches, a viewing platform, artistic paving slabs and commemorative door plaques.
The Lennox spoke to a couple who had recently moved to the scheme, they said: “This is one of the best things that has been done in West Dunbartonshire, especially the new path along the river. It is absolutely brilliant seeing the young folk walk along it.
“We moved in, in February 2020, and it is night and day better than our previous home. It is so tranquil and peaceful here.”
The social housing development cost roughly £21 million, with Dunbritton facing a lot of challenges along the way, including Covid and contaminated land.
However, Allan Murphy, chief executive Officer of Dunbritton Housing Association is grateful that the estate is officially opened to offer people homes in Dumbarton, he said: “In this time of financial uncertainty, social housing has a key role to play in providing families with affordable high-quality homes.
“This development has allowed Dunbritton to provide 150 properties across all sizes and types which will help address the housing needs of the people of Dumbarton.”
