This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6178652.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Social housing to plummet by 2020 Social housing to plummet by 2020
(about 8 hours later)
The number of council and housing association homes is predicted to drop by almost 70% by 2020, according to a new report.The number of council and housing association homes is predicted to drop by almost 70% by 2020, according to a new report.
More than a quarter of Scottish households are currently in the socially rented sector. More than a quarter of Scottish households are currently in the socially-rented sector.
A report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) in Scotland warned that this could fall to just 8% in 14 years time.A report from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) in Scotland warned that this could fall to just 8% in 14 years time.
The authors found that more people now preferred owner-occupation. The Scottish Executive said it was committed to meeting the challenges.
Most people living in such properties will be young single adults and those who require some form of support. The authors of the report found that more people now preferred owner-occupation.
Most people living in such properties will be young single adults and those who require some form of support, it said.
The CIH said this represented a major change from the days when more than half of households in Scotland lived in social housing.The CIH said this represented a major change from the days when more than half of households in Scotland lived in social housing.
Most people now have a preference for owner-occupation and social rented housing is feeling the effects of that John MillsChartered Institute of Housing in ScotlandMost people now have a preference for owner-occupation and social rented housing is feeling the effects of that John MillsChartered Institute of Housing in Scotland
But the body warns that with most people now opting to buy their own home, social housing increasingly caters for those with particular needs or the poor. But the body warned that with most people now opting to buy their own home, social housing increasingly catered for those with particular needs or the poor.
The report on the future of social renting in Scotland is being launched in Edinburgh.The report on the future of social renting in Scotland is being launched in Edinburgh.
John Mills, the chair of the CIH in Scotland, said: "The report sounds a number of warnings, some of which are bleak, and highlights a number of challenges for the future."John Mills, the chair of the CIH in Scotland, said: "The report sounds a number of warnings, some of which are bleak, and highlights a number of challenges for the future."
He added he hoped it would be a "wake-up call" to bring ministers and the housing sector together to look at what could be done for the future.He added he hoped it would be a "wake-up call" to bring ministers and the housing sector together to look at what could be done for the future.
Mr Mills said: "At its height social rented housing in Scotland housed more than half of Scottish households so this new report makes for sober reading.Mr Mills said: "At its height social rented housing in Scotland housed more than half of Scottish households so this new report makes for sober reading.
There are challenges ahead but we are certainly committed to playing our part in meeting them Scottish Executive spokeswoman
"Social rented housing is now largely perceived to be only for people in the greatest housing need."Social rented housing is now largely perceived to be only for people in the greatest housing need.
"Most people now have a preference for owner-occupation and social rented housing is feeling the effects of that.""Most people now have a preference for owner-occupation and social rented housing is feeling the effects of that."
An executive spokeswoman welcomed the research and said all providers of social housing should study it in detail.
She said the executive was investing almost £500m in affordable housing this year, including the creation of more than 7,000 homes which were mostly for rent.
"There are challenges ahead but we are certainly committed to playing our part in meeting them, working with the social housing sector," she said.