The council's Housing and Property Committee met on Wednesday 4 November to review three critical documents: the Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028, the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027-2032, and the latest Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA). These documents collectively provide a comprehensive overview of current and future housing requirements across the Highland council area.
Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, emphasised the critical role of housing in sustaining communities and driving economic development. She noted that while over 1,800 affordable homes have been delivered in partnership with housing associations in the last four years, demand continues to exceed supply.
The updated Housing Need and Demand Assessment estimates a requirement for approximately 31,848 homes over the next 20 years. Meeting this demand will necessitate continued investment, robust partnerships, and a concerted effort to increase housing supply across all tenures. The assessment also highlighted that housing shortages are a significant barrier to recruitment and retention for 65% of employers surveyed.
Key achievements over the last four years include the delivery of 72% of affordable homes outside Inverness, 127 homes in remote communities, 837 new Council homes, and 897 homes by housing association partners. The council is also working to bring empty properties back into use and improve the energy efficiency and accessibility of existing stock.
The council is also exploring a new Highland Growth Deal, potentially unlocking £10-£16 billion in investment over 25 years, with sufficient housing being vital for supporting this economic growth. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan aims to deliver at least 700 affordable homes annually, subject to funding.
