WAT IF? Homes
We are currently looking for local volunteers to join the Housing Management Team – if you are interested please contact us on 01501 785067 or at contact@watif.scot.
Project Update - WAT IF? Homes
The property is now finished and rented out! Background In November 2017, WAT IF? purchased a 3-bedroom property in Tarbrax for the ‘WAT IF? Homes’ project. The development of this project follows on from a Housing Need and Demand survey conducted in partnership with Rural Housing Scotland in early 2017. The survey highlighted significant housing need in the area, and showed support from the local community for more affordable properties (17 respondents said that they would have a need for housing in the next 2 years that currently the local market cannot meet). Further community support is highlighted in the 2018-2023 Community Action Plan where developing affordable housing was identified as a community priority. WAT IF? planned to refurbish the Tarbrax property and convert it into an affordable rental to meet local housing needs. Work on the property is now finished. |
WAT IF? are delighted that this purchase brings a previously empty property back into use. The issue of empty and derelict properties is a blight in many areas, but has a particular impact in small communities where an empty or rundown house can impact the whole village.
A priority identified in the Community Action Plan is ‘review the development potential of existing derelict buildings’; this ties into an overall theme of ‘neighbourhood improvements’. Through our consultation with the community, we know that residents like the beautiful scenery of our area, but feel that our neighbourhoods could be more attractive places if derelict buildings were brought back into use. |
Housing Survey Results - Overview
Survey undertaken February 2017, in partnership with Rural Housing Scotland. 90% of the respondents thought that there should be affordable housing developed in the area. Just five households answered no. Of those saying yes, 60% thought there should be housing for rent built; about half thought there should be housing for low cost sale.
The questionnaire asked whether any new housing should be by building new housing or renovating existing housing. 75% of respondents thought any new housing should be provided by renovating existing property whilst just under 30% thought new build should be considered. The housing needs survey has shown that there is demand for affordable housing to rent and buy in the area. WAT IF? are now continuing to work with Rural Housing Scotland to develop a plan for a Housing Initiative, investigating potential funding streams and identifying potential empty homes and sites. Rural Housing Scotland carried out research into housing needs in the villages of Tarbrax, Woolfords, Auchengray and surrounding areas in January/February 2017. The purpose of the research was to determine the need for affordable housing amongst households in the area to help shape any possible housing initiative by WAT IF?. The questionnaire was distributed alongside the WAT IF? newsletter to a total of 350 households in Tarbrax, Auchengray and Woolfords. Fifty three households responded to the survey with 17 households reporting that they had housing needs and required alternative housing - this is 32% of all respondents. The main reason given why alternative housing is required is to enable a young adult to live independently, other reasons included older relatives who require alternative housing, overcrowding, insecurity of tenure and needing to be closer to work. |
Download the full report below.
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