West Dunbartonshire's housing chief: "I believe we are in a housing emergency"

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Dunbartonshire’s housing chief claims there is a “housing emergency” in the region with “massive challenges” around homelessness.Peter Barry, chief officer of housing and employability, made the comment at a meeting after questions were raised over whether the local authority would follow in the footsteps of other councils and declare a housing crisis.It comes as Dumbarton Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said West Dunbartonshire faces a “catastrophic” housing crisis after funding from the Scottish Government for affordable housing was cut.We also recently told how Caledonia Housing Association’s major redevelopment in Bellsmyre had been hit with delays due to cuts.At the housing and communities committee meeting, members had been presented with an update on the local authority’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme which has delivered more than 1000 new affordable homes.The report also highlighted that, in December last year, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance set out the Scottish Government’s proposed spending and tax plan for 2024/25 which proposed a reduction in the overall housing and buildings standards budget from £738million to £533m - a cut of around £200m.The More Homes budget, which provides grant aid for affordable new homes, will also drop from £564.6m this year to £375.8m next year.Labour council leader Martin Rooney, said: “I know some councils have declared a housing emergency.“With the rise in costs and the reduction in funding - is that something we should be looking at?”Peter Barry said that West Dunbartonshire had been experiencing similar problems as other local authorities who had declared an emergency.Mr Barry said: “The factors that have led to other councils to declare a