MSP claims that lack of housing is a real problem

Alasdair Allan MSP, has told of growing worries around the difficulty in affordable homes for young people.

The MSP brought a debate to the Scottish Parliament recently to raise concerns over the rise of holiday homes on the islands, which takes houses off the market for potential buyers.

He told Holyrood how house prices have risen exponentially across the Western Isles, with some small homes selling for more than £300,000.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Allan said: “Islands face unique and growing problems when it comes to the supply of housing.

“In some communities, holiday homes and second homes now account, between them, for almost 60 per cent of homes.

“There are communities where there are no new children entering primary schools.”

The MSP told Holyrood: “No affordable housing ultimately means closed schools and the lights of a community going out.”

Mr Allan raised the issue to Parliament following young people on the islands being forced to relocate, despite wanting to stay and make their homes on the Western Isles.

The MSP also spoke of a growth in tourism which has led to a rise in job vacancies on the islands, but businesses often struggle to establish a workforce due to locals being unable to buy homes.

“There must be some houses in the islands available to buy at a reasonable price by people who want to live there all year around during their working lives.

“We desperately need more new people in the islands, even just to fill the job vacancies which are projected to come up over the next few years.

“Whatever solutions we arrive at, it is becoming clear we cannot leave the future of our communities to the mercy of an unrestrained free market in housing,” he commented.

Mr Allan raised the debate in Parliament after a group of young islanders wrote an open letter explaining that they believe the market has been distorted by a lack of restrictions on the numbers of second homes and holiday homes.

The main issues raised in the letter was the infrequent use of second or holiday homes and land being sold at exorbitant prices so that it alienates locals from purchasing.

The West Harris Trust, a charity devoted to the protection and fair distribution of land on Harris, have spoken out in concern over the high house prices on the Isles.

“An objective of the West Harris Trust is to revitalise the community by attracting new residents and creating the conditions to allow young people to stay in their community, through the creation of housing and employment opportunities,” a spokesperson for the trust said.

“The trust has previously released land in conjunction with the grazing committees for self-build, and, in partnership with Hebridean Housing Partnership, six houses for rent and four houses under shared ownership have been built resulting in the population increasing by 30 per cent over the 10 years of ownership.

“The trust remains concerned however that the ever increasing prices being realised for crofts and houses make it very difficult for young people to remain in the community.”

The issue is currently being discussed in the Scottish Parliament with the local MSP pushing for a satisfactory resolve to the ongoing issue.