Housing Investment Taskforce minutes: January 2025

Items and actions

Paul McLennan MSP, Minister for Housing, welcomed members to the fifth meeting of the Housing Investment Taskforce (HIT) at Wheatley Group offices in Edinburgh.

Summary note of last meeting agreed for publication.

Taskforce welcomed Nicola Barclay, Chair of the Commission for More Homes through Alternative Investment. The Commission was in the early stage of its work, having been established by third sector organisations, with the ambition of working together on the potential for social investment to help the ‘hardest edges’ of those in need of new homes. In discussion:

• Work welcomed with desire for follow up on an individual organisation level to support the work of the Commission
• Needs of single person households often different in terms of space, and pragmatism in context of housing emergency should be exercised
• Potential for asset creation to meet needs, including through purpose built/acquired property

Stalled sites workstream provided an update, noting that focus has been on viability, costs of infrastructure and ensuring that there is market confidence to sustain development, especially for Build to Rent.

Partnerships workstream shared case studies to aid discussion around optimal approaches. Areas for further development include public/private sector risk, access to land and structural changes to increase options for partnership working.

Home ownership workstream provided an update on barriers identified that make alternative models challenging. 

Next steps

All workstreams to reach conclusions and draft Report to be considered by HIT at meeting on 19 March.