Council campaign to buy private homes for social housing

Construction of social housing has slowed throughout Scotland

A council has launched a campaign to buy private homes and then use them as social housing.

East Renfrewshire Council want sellers to consider the local authority, before putting their property on the open market.

It said the move would help combat the local housing emergency throughout the region that was declared last year.

Since 2018 homeless applications in East Renfrewshire have increased by 53%, in comparison to a 10% increase across Scotland as a whole.

The local authority is seeking to add 20 homes through the initiative, taking place in partnership with the charity and social landlord Barrhead Housing.

It said it would offer up to home-report value from a chain-free cash buyer, while sellers could avoid estate agent fees and the need for multiple viewings.

The council's housing and environment convener, Cllr Danny Devlin said the local authority could be "the perfect buyer" for people looking to sell.

He added: "Our aim with this campaign is simple – we want to increase the number of council homes available to local people.

"This is just one of the ways we're working to tackle the local housing crisis we declared last year."

As of autumn 2024, 350 households in the region were accepted as homeless and awaiting an offer of accommodation, with almost 200 households in temporary accommodation, including those in bed and breakfast.

Barrhead Housing chief executive Lorna Wilson said: "This is an important element of the strategic agreement we signed with the Council.

"With our support, you can move on with confidence, while helping to provide more much-needed affordable homes in your community."

Last year the Scottish government declared a national housing emergency, while several other local authorities - including Edinburgh and Glasgow - have done the same.

The joint campaign forms part of a strategic agreement the council and Barrhead Housing recently committed to.

It formally recognised how the two providers will work together to increase and improve housing supply and services, contribute to regeneration, provide support for the most vulnerable and progress carbon reduction.

The council said any sales would take place to the seller's preferred timescale.