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Body 'shakes up' housing sector Body 'shakes up' housing sector
(about 1 hour later)
A body charged with addressing Scotland's housing shortage is holding its first meeting. A body charged with tackling Scotland's housing shortage will drive change in the sector, ministers have said.
The housing supply task force will tackle obstacles to providing new homes, such as problems with planning and land supply. The housing supply task force, which has met for the first time, will take a head-on approach rather than "producing reports", the government has claimed.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell insisted the group would be driving change and not "producing reports". Chaired by Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell, the task force comprises representatives from councils, house building and housing associations.
The task force comprises representatives from councils, house building and housing associations. Demand for homes is not being matched by adequate supply, ministers said.
Average house prices rose by 72% between 2002 and 2006, but only 2% more homes were built in 2006 than in 2002, according to the Scottish Executive.
Waiting listsWaiting lists
Mr Maxwell, who chairs the task force, said: "The Scottish government wants to see an increase in the number of homes that are being built across all sectors. Mr Maxwell said: "The Scottish government wants to see an increase in the number of homes that are being built across all sectors.
"I want this task force to shake up the current systems. Its focus will be on driving action where change is needed, rather than producing reports.""I want this task force to shake up the current systems. Its focus will be on driving action where change is needed, rather than producing reports."
Group member Archie Stoddart, director of the housing charity Shelter Scotland, claimed there were 87,000 empty homes in Scotland.Group member Archie Stoddart, director of the housing charity Shelter Scotland, claimed there were 87,000 empty homes in Scotland.
"Hundreds of thousands of families are on waiting lists, or in temporary accommodation, and yet homes lie empty up and down the country," he said."Hundreds of thousands of families are on waiting lists, or in temporary accommodation, and yet homes lie empty up and down the country," he said.
"Giving local authorities a power to bring empty properties back into use would help to meet housing need.""Giving local authorities a power to bring empty properties back into use would help to meet housing need."