McArthur highlights key worker housing shortages

Liam McArthur, Orkney's MSP, has today called on the Housing Secretary to take steps to alleviate the pressures on key worker housing availability across Orkney.  

During portfolio questions, Mr McArthur highlighted reports from NHS Orkney and Orkney Islands Council that many applicants are having to turn down job offers or delay start dates due to a lack of available housing.  

In response, the Housing Secretary, Shirley-Anne Sommerville offered to engage with Mr McArthur, OIC and local delivery bodies about areas where improvements might be made to support housebuilding.

Commenting after the exchange, Mr McArthur said:

"Orkney's housing crisis is felt keenly across the board, but it is also creating specific and acute problems for the delivery of key public services.

"Delivering lifeline services like health, social care and education depends on staff being able to find suitable housing within the local community. Too often, however, skilled applicants are forced to taking up jobs or simply cannot do so due to a lack of housing.

"I will be taking up the Cabinet Secretary's offer to meet to discuss in more detail how existing support might be tailored to ensure key worker housing is given the priority it deserves. This is a situation that is only getting more serious, so further action is needed."