Scottish Conservative and Unionist Roz McCall MSP for the Mid-Scotland and Fife region says she is “appalled” that Fife Council have underspent its housing budget by almost £9 million.
Her remarks come after Fife Council declared a housing emergency in March this year, with over 1,900 households currently classed as homeless and waiting for tenancies.
According to the latest figures from Fife’s Executive Director of finance, the affordable housing programme is underspent by nearly £5.5m, and the council’s buy-back – or Property Acquisition Programme – underspent by £3.5m.
Roz McCall MSP says that SNP ministers have “failed” to get a grip on Scotland’s housing crisis and cut support for councils, which has forced Fife Council to declare a housing emergency.
She added that this underspend highlights the Labour administration’s “lack of urgency” in tackling this crisis.
Roz McCall MSP also said that every single penny of Fife Council’s housing budget should have been spent building safe and affordable homes for Fifers.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Roz McCall said:
“It should be a source of deep embarrassment to both SNP ministers and Labour-run Fife Council that over 1,900 households in Fife are currently homeless.
“These are families and individuals should be living in safe homes of their own, but rather than taking the urgent action that people need, Fife Council have underspent their housing budget by £9 million.
“This money could and should have been spent building safe and affordable homes for Fifers.
“Fife Council needs to get their act together and focus on addressing this escalating crisis.
“Declaring a housing emergency means nothing if it isn’t followed by meaningful action. I will continue to hold both Fife Council to account to ensure my constituents have access to the homes they need and deserve.”
