I am pleased to welcome you to South Ayrshire Council’s
first Local Housing Strategy.
Housing is once again recognised as a key strategic issue and
its importance cannot be over-stated. This importance has been
recognised by the Scottish Parliament whose most significant
legislation in its first term is the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Indeed, with five Acts relating directly to housing and another
eleven having impact on the sector, the Scottish Parliament has
made housing the central public policy issue of the early part
of the 21st Century. Its importance is reflected in its influence
upon so many life opportunities including health, safety and
economic well-being.
This is reinforced in the Social Justice targets, which South
Ayrshire Council has adopted. Those that specifically apply to
Housing and Homelessness are:
- To reduce the number of households with children living in
temporary accommodation
- The elimination of rough sleeping
- Ensuring that all those leaving care will have appropriate
housing options
- To increase the proportion of people with learning disabilities
able to live at home (or home environment)
- To increase the proportion of elderly living independently
by doubling respite care at home & increase home care opportunity;
and
- To increase the quality & variety of homes in our most
disadvantaged communities
South Ayrshire has been developing its strategic approach to
housing since local government reorganisation in 1996 and since
the last Housing Plan in 1998 we have created many opportunities
and achieved many successes giving us a sound basis for planning
the future with confidence.
This Local Housing Strategy is the culmination of a great deal
of hard work, which, although led by the Council reflects our
partnership approach to this important area through involvement
of all those with an interest in developing high quality housing
services in the private and public sectors.
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