Clydesdale MP David Mundell is pressing for action to bring empty homes in Douglas back into use, to meet local demand for rented homes.
His call comes after concerns were raised with him by residents over an apparent lack of homes for rent in the area and by Independent Councillor for Clydesdale South George Greenshields, who is also campaigning for improvements to local housing stock and in particular for two homes in Hawthorn Place and Springhill Avenue to be made available for letting.
The MP and Councillor are now both calling on Clyde Valley Housing Association to take action to bring empty properties in Douglas back into use, to meet the demand for affordable homes in the area.
David Mundell said: “Several constituents have raised with me their interest in seeking rented accommodation in Douglas and their concerns over an apparent lack of properties being made available to let through Clyde Valley Housing Association. And I know that Councillor Greenshields has also been contacted by other local people in similar circumstances.
“My understanding is that while there are indeed currently void properties within Douglas, these are not being let as a result of what is considered ‘low demand’ for properties in the town.
“That doesn’t match up at all with my own experience, or that of Councillor Greenshields, since we have both found evidence of a significant level of demand locally and of a need for a range of property types in the area to meet the requirements of older and disabled residents.
“I believe that Clyde Valley Housing Association is currently considering the targeting of investment in local housing stock and I have been in touch with them to strongly urge that investment is now made in properties within Douglas, to bring them back into use and to make them available to let at the earliest opportunity.”
