Several important issues have not been fully considered by the Scottish Government's consultation "Investing in Affordable Housing", key among them being the lack of private sector involvement.

That is the view of industry body Homes for Scotland which has been at the forefront of calls for both accelerated and increased funding in affordable housing provision in recognition of the benefits this offers in terms of maintaining skills and long-term capacity in the current economic downturn.

Chief Executive Jonathan Fair said given affordable housing demands placed on the private sector in recent years, it is "particularly disappointing" that the idea Homes for Scotland members taking on the role of Lead Developer has been discounted as either having no merit or being too costly to implement without any evidence being produced by the Scottish Government to substantiate arguments.

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"This is entirely contrary to the detailed content, spirit and intent promoted by the Scottish Government in 'Firm Foundations'. In preventing even a discussion of such concepts, the consultation takes a singular focus without taking on board wider opportunities for stakeholder engagement," he said.

Mr Fair said the desire to streamline and improve the efficiency of current affordable housing investment arrangements is laudable.

However he said: "Proposals in the consultation do not provide sufficient clarity of evidence, clearly structured transitional arrangements or an appropriately flexed delivery timescale to ensure these aims will be achieved within the current economic, market and housing supply context."

(GK/JM)