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Elected Member Briefing Note - Affordable Rural Housing

Elected Member Briefing Note 2023, Issue 54

About this briefing note

Report by: Elaine Ritchie, Senior Service Manager, Housing

Date: 29 March 2023

Subject: Update on Housing in Rural Perth & Kinross - Community Led Affordable Housing

Responsible Officer: Andy Saum, Team Leader, Housing Strategy Team

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to members with oversight of affordable housing issues in rural Perth & Kinross and a summary of how PKC and its partners are working with rural communities to tackle affordable housing challenges.

We issued a previous briefing to members in August 2022, which provided background, context and progress about the provision of rural affordable housing.

Briefing Information

PKC/Communities Housing Trust (CHT) - Partnership Working

Housing Needs Assessment Programme (HNAP) and Community-Led Housing Support Programme (CLHSP)

Housing Needs Assessment surveys that comprised the HNAP, supported by £20,000 of funding from Perth & Kinross Council via affordable housing commuted sums, have now been completed in the five rural communities that were initially targeted. 

As previously indicated, these surveys provide detailed and robust housing needs/demand data that is required to unlock capital funding, mainly from the Rural Housing Fund, to deliver new affordable homes within the current term of the fund. 

All five reports are included to this Briefing Note below. It is highlighted that there are clear similarities in housing need and demand that emerged from the surveys in each of the five communities surveyed.

The CHT submitted a further proposal to the Council in August 2022 to secure funding for a follow-up to the HNAP -  the Community Led Housing Support Programme - to run until 2026. Funding for the Year 1 of the proposal has been identified from the Scottish Government via Council colleagues.

To date, the CHT has provided support and assistance to all five communities with a view to building capacity and co-producing community-led housing solutions. It has  undertaken detailed appraisal and evaluation of the robust data obtained from the Housing Needs Assessment surveys. 

The information in the survey reports provides a firm foundation for discussing requirements for community-led affordable housing strategies with the five communities identified. 

The CHT, with support from our Affordable Housing Enablers, will work with  communities to identify potential Community-Led Affordable Housing projects and develop these up to feasibility stage initially.

While progress with community-led affordable housing activities is evident in all five communities, the most significant progress has been made in Aberfeldy where the CHT has supported the community achieve some significant milestones. 

The Aberfeldy Development Trust has been supported to secure approvals for feasibility funding from the Rural Housing Fund for two affordable housing projects, which have the potential to deliver up to 12 new affordable homes. Progress has also been made towards acquiring a development site from the Council for the larger of these projects.

In addition, Aberfeldy Development Trust has registered an interest in another potential project which would take forward a proposal for a further 10 new affordable homes in partnership with a Registered Social Landlord. 

It is anticipated that this approach could be successfully replicated in the other four communities, where co-production of projects has begun but is at an earlier stage.

It is anticipated that, like Aberfeldy Development Trust,  feasibility investigations will be funded through applications to appropriate funding bodies including the Rural Housing Fund.     

Also in Highland, the CHT has supported Rannoch Community Development Trust on a proposal to develop a site that could deliver 12 new affordable homes in Kinloch Rannoch. 

A feasibility study is now complete and proposals will be shared with the Rannoch community in May 2023.  It is anticipated that a planning application will be made, along with an application to the Rural Housing Fund for capital funds.  

Community-Led Affordable Housing Progress - March 2023

Strathardle - Strathmore & Glens Housing Market Area (HMA)

Community Partner

Mount Blair CDT (MBCDT)

HNAP Survey

Completed

December 2022

HNAP Report

Completed

March 2022

Next Steps

Potential development site(s) have been identified by MBCDT

Further discussion planned between CHT/PKC and MBCDT Dev Officer with a view to registering interest and securing feasibility funding from SLF & RHF for AH development projects on identified sites

February 2023

April - June 2023

Comments

 

Dunkeld & Birnam - Highland HMA

Community Partner

D&B CDT formed from affordable housing group out of CAP actions/during HNAP process

HNAP Survey

Completed

May 2022

HNAP Report

Completed

May 2022

Next Steps

D&B CDT has secured funds for Development Officer

D&B CDT to discuss and agree AH strategy with CHT & PKC

Further discussions planned between CHT/PKC and D&B CDT following meeting in January 2023

 

May 2022

September 2022

April-June 2023

Comments

Acknowledged that identifying potential development sites is a significant challenge.  Changes in D&B CDT composition has delayed progress/discussions

Aberfeldy & Surrounding Areas - Highland HMA

Community Partner

D&B CDT formed from affordable housing group out of CAP actions/during HNAP process

HNAP Survey

Completed

May 2022

HNAP Report

Completed

May 2022

Next Steps

D&B CDT has secured funds for Development Officer

D&B CDT to discuss and agree AH strategy with CHT & PKC

Further discussions planned between CHT/PKC and D&B CDT following meeting in January 2023

May 2022

September 2022

April-June 2023

Comments

Acknowledged that identifying potential development sites is a significant challenge.  Changes in D&B CDT composition has delayed progress/discussions

Comrie - Strathearn HMA

Community Partner

Aberfeldy CDT formed from affordable housing group out of CAP actions/during HNAP process

HNAP Survey

Completed

July2022

HNAP Report

Completed

August 2022

Next Steps

SG approved feasibility funds from RHF for refurbishment of 2 nr flats at Aberfeldy Town Hall

SG approved feasibility funds from RHF for up to 10 new affordable homes at former Aberfeldy slaughterhouse site

Good progress being made towards acquisition of former Aberfeldy slaughterhouse site from PKC and securing funds from SLF to acquire site

Registration of interest from Aberfeldy CDT to partner with Hillcrest Homes to development up to 10 new affordable homes as part of Duntaylor Ave new build

ACDT currently advertising Development Officer position

ACDT to discuss and agree draft report and AH strategy with CHT & PKC

February 2023

March 2023

March 2023

 

March 2023

March 2023

Comments

Flats at Aberfeldy Town Hall

  • CHT has identified other potential sources of complementary funds, including from PKC vacant properties
  • Flats will remain in ownership of Locus B/bane and managed by CHT for affordable rent

Former Slaughterhouse Site

  • Identified as surplus by PKC
  • PKC Assets Transfer Officer to assist ACDT in process

Other potential opportunities also being explored with landowners

Comrie - Strathearn HMA

Community Partner

Currently Comrie Community Land Use Group.  Endorsed by Comrie CDT. 

HNAP Survey

Completed

September 2022

HNAP Report

Completed

November 2022

Next Steps

Comrie CLU/CDT to arrange a public meeting to discuss report outcomes and discuss Community-Led AH Strategy

CHT/PKC will input into meeting and next step discussions

May 2023


May 2023

Comments

Indications that potential development sites/opportunities in and around Comrie

Last modified on 18 March 2024

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