The chairwoman of Aberdeenshire Council’s social work and housing committee has said rent increases will help get people off housing waiting lists.
Some 14,000 people are on the waiting list for a council house and officers believe that a yearly 3.75% increase in rent to 2019 will give them £5million to spend on delivering 53 new council houses.
Councillors on the social work and housing committee backed the proposals yesterday. A final decision will be made in February by the full council.
Last night, Anne Allan, the committee’s chairwoman, said that although some people would be upset by the increases, the benefits could not be outweighed.
She said: “It was agreed to propose the recommendation – to increase rents – to full council.
“It’s probably the right solution. We’re desperate for more affordable houses and this will enable us to build more.
“Anything that helps us to house more people – because we have a huge homeless problem – is good.”
The full council will now discuss the proposal during its budget meeting in the New Year.
Ms Allan added: “Affordable housing is a priority to a lot of people and the people in the area definitely see it that way.”
Stephen Archer, head of infrastructure services at the council, said: “Higher rents will allow for more revenue to be made available for capital investment.”
He added that a consultation with residents had been carried out on the plans and the review had considered “tenants’ income levels”.
Ruth Fraser, co-ordinator of the Tenant Participation Promotion Team in Turriff, said: “In an ideal world, maybe we wouldn’t want to pay any more, but, realistically, everything goes up.
“The more you participate, the more you have got a say on what goes on. If people reply and participate, they may get what they want.”
Earlier this year, the Press and Journal revealed the huge numbers of people waiting for a house in Aberdeenshire.
Clearing the 14,000 on the list could take up to 14 years.