HOUSING CRISIS: 'Nightmare' of finding somewhere to live in Inverness and the Highlands exposed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
By Federica Stefani and Rachel Smart – newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
The lack of affordable housing in Inverness and the Highlands is forcing vulnerable people to be trapped in run-down buildings or putting them at risk of being made homeless.
As the rental market in the area is experiencing unprecedented supply and demand issues with record-low numbers of properties available figures show that homeless applications made in the Highlands have gone up by 21 per cent in the last year.
One of the people affected is Petrechiuta Gurney (38), who had to rely on homeless accommodation after the distressing conditions in the house she was living in as a private tenant two years ago caused her to have a mental breakdown.
She claimed the poor conditions in which the landlord kept the house – with half of the hobs in the kitchen broken, severe mould in various rooms and the corridor, the fire alarm hanging from the wall and unsafe lighting on the stairs – caused her problems. She also had issues with noisy neighbours.
“It was horrible, absolutely traumatic,” she said. “I was severely depressed back then, I would often find myself in the kitchen crying. I was always on edge, worrying about what will break next.”
She said she phoned the council housing department multiple times seeking help.
“They said that if I couldn’t cope any longer with the noise and the situation, by law they had to put me in a room in a homeless accommodation,” she said.
“I was severely depressed back then, I would often find myself in the kitchen crying. I was always on edge, worrying about what will break next.”
“Eventually I also phoned the police, saying that I felt trapped in the situation and they sent two community officers. They called a nurse – and that day I was very close to be sectioned. I had found myself between a rock and a hard place.”
She then went into homeless accommodation for about four months, after living in the previous house for two years. She said it took her three years to find a new council flat, where she lives now.
“The day I left the old house, I felt like I could start again,” she said. “I am happy now that I have my own place. There is still a lot of work to do on it but I now feel at home.”
Figures from the Scottish Government show that the number of people on Highland Council’s waiting lists for council housing went up by 30 per cent in 2021 when compared to the previous year.
The housing crisis is also seeing people living in 'nightmare' circumstances as they wait for years for social housing.
At the moment there are just under 9000 people waiting for suitable accommodation with an overall total of 6427 on the Highland Housing Register (HHR) and 2572 on the transfer list.
Lisa – who did not want to be named in case it impacted her application – explained she has been in unsuitable accommodation for the last seven years.
"I’m disabled with very bad mobility," she said. "I currently live in a two-bedroom bungalow, with four steep steps to get into the garden. I need help to get up and down them."
"It is such a struggle. I have been a high medical priority for about seven years now and overcrowding for six.
With two children, there is not enough room in either of the bedrooms for two beds, meaning that one of the children is forced to sleep in the living room.
"There is no space in the living room now either. We have a single bed, small sofa, chest of drawers and a dinner table in there," Lisa said. "It is such a struggle. I have been a high medical priority for about seven years now and overcrowding for six.
"I was offered a property in Ardersier with all but it was too far away from any help and support.
"Three-bedroom, level-accessible, two-loo properties are far and few between. They have some new builds but because I am not permanently in a wheelchair I’m not 'disabled enough'. It’s a nightmare."
The number of social housing units in the Highlands dropped from 533 new starts in 2019 to 212 in 2022. A total of 363 completions were recorded for the Highlands in 2022, a rise of around 18 per cent when compared to 2019 (307).
Homes for Scotland (HFS) chief executive Jane Wood said: “As we have been warning over the past six months, the continuing downward trend in the number of new homes started across all sectors is of great concern."
"we can't really settle until we get a permanent home."
When Aimee McNeill, her partner and young child were asked to move out of their private housing by the landlord because he decided to sell, they hoped they'd soon find a permanent home.
However, with a lack of affordable private rents available in Nairn, they had to turn to the council.
"We got temporary accommodation on April 1 last year but we are still waiting to get somewhere permanent," she said. "Whenever I call up my housing officer they just tell me not to get my hopes up.
"There are such a lack of homes at the moment. I think it's rubbish as we can't really settle until we get a permanent home."
In April, Highland Council announced the aim to build 3300 affordable homes between 2023 and 2028.
Talking about the draft local housing strategy, the council’s housing and property committee chairwoman and Inverness Provost Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “Demand to live and develop business opportunities across the Highlands is at a record high, yet access to affordable housing can be a stumbling block for those wishing to take up employment, study or to remain in the area. Over the next five years, the Highland Council, alongside its partners, will continue to work to build a portfolio of affordable housing stock."
A council spokesperson added: “The HHR is a needs-based points system which allocates properties to applicants dependant on their housing need as per the HHR allocations policy. There are a variety of factors which impact on the timescales for people to be allocated a property including level of individual housing need, property type and size required and areas of choice for rehousing.
“The housing service works closely within the HHR partnership and with the private sector to ensure all housing options are explored for applicants.”
