Following Aberdeen City Council’s decision to declare a housing emergency last week, Castlehill Housing Association, Grampian Housing Association, Langstane Housing Association and Osprey Housing sent a joint open letter yesterday asking all councillors, MSPs, and MPs to understand and support their desire to be part of the solution.

The letter reads: 

As locally based housing associations we have a special responsibility to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing, a significant part of our provision being in Aberdeen. We operate within a complex and interconnected housing system where each part must function effectively to ensure the system as a whole works smoothly. We take this responsibility to our tenants and to our city incredibly seriously.

Like many parts of Scotland, the sector within which we operate is now grappling with unprecedented challenges - exacerbated by years of underinvestment in the right areas, economic pressures, and external shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. We also recognise the more immediate challenges posed by RAAC.

We recognise Aberdeen City Council felt the declaration of a housing emergency in Aberdeen was a vital and necessary step toward addressing the severe challenges facing our city’s housing system. That is why we welcome the opportunity to work with Aberdeen City Council to collectively bring about sustainable solutions for our city. In particular to address our city’s rising homelessness cases, growing reliance on temporary accommodation, and increasing strain on our housing infrastructure. Without urgent action from the Council and partners, we know this situation will worsen.

We know that declaring a housing emergency isn’t the solution, but is a catalyst for change, enabling the creation of a comprehensive action plan that can unite all stakeholders, including local government, housing associations, tenants, and community organisations.

As housing associations, we are committed to being proactive partners. We are ready to participate in, and if necessary convene, a meeting between all stakeholders to collaborate on a Housing Emergency Action Plan. This Action Plan is necessary to tackle the immediate challenges we face on the ground, and to lay the foundation for long-term solutions for Aberdeen. This partnership is essential to overcoming the current emergency and to building a housing system that meets the needs of all residents now and in the future.

This is a moment for bold leadership to confront the harsh realities that we face. Together, we can turn the tide and ensure everyone in Aberdeen has access to safe, affordable, good quality housing.

We look forward to hearing from officials.

Yours sincerely,

David Lappin
Chief Executive, Castlehill Housing Association

Craig Stirrat
Chief Executive, Grampian Housing Association

Helen Gauld
Chief Executive, Langstane Housing Association

Stacy Angus
Chief Executive, Osprey Housing