A survey by the Pairc Trust on south-east Lewis has found that new social and affordable housing is key to achieving its aims.
The trust – which completed a community buyout of the Pairc Estate last year – hopes to reverse population decline in the area and encourage a more balanced age structure among residents.
The new report indicates that the local community is very supportive of a small development of affordable housing in the estate, either to rent or to buy.
Trust chairman Angus McDowall said “The trust now aims to bring empty properties back to life and provide affordable housing which is energy efficient, and reduces the prevailing issue of fuel poverty in rural locations of the Western Isles.”
Iain Watson, the local authority’s housing services manager, said: “We are very pleased to be presented with the findings of Pairc Trust’s Housing Needs Report.
“The information gathered from the Pairc community will be very useful in assisting the Comhairle develop its next local housing strategy.
“This community’s support for affordable housing is very obvious from the report and we look forward to working with Pairc Trust in the coming years to look at new housing opportunities.