John Swinney challenged to fix Scotland's housing emergency as Holyrood handed billlions in funding
SNP ministers have been urged to launch a "housing revolution" to end the rise in homelessness in recent years.
John Swinney has been challenged to finally fix Scotland's housing emergency after the UK Government announced a multi-billion pound investment to build more affordable homes.
Rachel Reeves confirmed today that £39 billion will be spent over the next 10 years in England to boost the supply of properties available for social and mid-market rent.
The Chancellor announced the Scottish Government will receive £52 billion in total over the next three years, which means an additional £9 billion for Holyrood coffers by 2029.
It comes as Swinney today announced Mairi McAllan would serve as the new Cabinet Secretary for Housing. The Nationalists have faced repeated criticism after the number of new build properties has dropped year-on-year at a time of rising homelessness.
Housebuilders and homelessness charities now want SNP ministers to adopt a similar long-term plan on increasing the number of new homes in Scotland.
Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFGA), called on Holyrood to "seize the opportunity".
She said: "The Spending Review represents a considerable boost for housing in England and enables the Scottish Government to back the country's housing associations on a long-term basis.
"We expect the Scottish Government to seize this opportunity and chart a course out of the housing emergency by introducing a multi-year funding package for housing associations.
"It's time to end the uncertainty of budgets which change one year from the next and empower our housing associations to build a better future for everyone who needs a safe, warm and affordable home.'
Sean Clerkin, campaign coordinator for the Scottish Tenants Organisation, said: "The Spending Review can be a watershed moment in tackling the housing emergency in Scotland.
"£39 billion will be invested in social and affordable housing in Britain over 10 years. We urge that all of the resultant Barnet consequentials for Scotland be spent on building tens of thousands of new social rented homes, and renovating thousands of empty thousands of homes.
"The Scottish Government must engage in an immediate housing revolution to tackle the housing and homeless emergency.
"We can no longer tolerate the thousands of homeless people being stuck for years in substandard and squalid temporary accommodation especially the 10,300 children whose lives are being ruined."
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