Renfrewshire Council has called on the Scottish Government to increase its support for affordable housing.

The call follows the publication of a major study by Audit Scotland last week which highlighted the challenges facing the funding and supply of affordable housing over the next few years.

The research revealed that thee had been a 54% fall in the number of new private sector homes built between 2007-08 and 2011-12, while there was also a reduction in real terms in the Scottish Government's capital housing budget.

Councillor Tommy Williams, Convener of Renfrewshire Council's Housing and Community Safety Policy Board said: "The Audit Scotland report demonstrates clearly the need for affordable housing in communities across Scotland, and the worsening position in terms of the funding available to meet that need.

"Crucially, the report also makes clear the importance of the role of affordable housing as a catalyst for employment, economic growth, and regenerating communities.

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"More recently, we have seen the impact that the lack of affordable housing is having on people affected by welfare benefit cuts.

"There are many demands on public finances in these difficult times. But there are few greater priorities for investment than housing that people can afford for themselves and their families.

"The Scottish Government has to change its approach and make that change a priority. There needs to be co-ordinated support from the Government to support capital investment – particularly for local authorities and housing associations.

"There are lots of other things that can be done. The ending of right to buy is a welcome, if belated, change which will help councils keep the housing they have at a time when housing demand is rising.

"It's also time for the Scottish Government to end the inconsistency which sees local authorities given around £12,000 less in investment for each housing unit than is given to housing associations. That is unfair and needlessly penalises council tenants. Parity of funding needs to be introduced across councils and housing associations."

Councillor Williams added that with further support, Renfrewshire could expand its own target of delivering affordable homes.

"Renfrewshire Council is building 37 new council houses at Blackhall in Paisley featuring family-sized houses and amenity flats. We are working in partnership with housing associations across Renfrewshire to develop new affordable housing to meet identified needs and agreed strategic housing priorities.

"Affordable housing will also be at the heart of one of the keynote regeneration programmes for Paisley town centre – the revival of the iconic Arnotts site through a mixed housing and retail development.

"There's a lot being achieved in housing in Renfrewshire. We want to achieve a lot more and our communities deserve more support on that from the Scottish Government," he concluded.

(JP/MH)