"Terrible news" as Mull-based housing charity closes amid rural crisis

Rural Housing Scotland (RHS), operating under the tagline “local homes: national voice", was set up in 2001 to help communities across Scotland tackle homelessness and improve the availability of affordable housing.

 

The organisation, headquartered at the Columba Centre, Fionnphort, said the lack of core funding had forced it into the difficult decision to close.

 

RHS said: "Despite its success and the growing need for rural housing, the charity has faced significant financial challenges due to a lack of sufficient funding in recent years. Without core funding to sustain its operations, RHS has made the difficult decision to close."

 

Wendy Reid, RHS chairperson, added: “The challenges facing rural housing have not diminished, and it is with heavy hearts that we are announcing the closure of Rural Housing Scotland. However, we are proud of the role RHS has played in shining a light on these critical issues and raising awareness among policymakers and the public.”

 

RHS thanked its dedicated staff, board of directors, supporters, and funders, as well as the many communities and landowners they have partnered with over the years. 

 

"While RHS will no longer be active, the charity emphasises that the need for affordable housing in rural areas remains urgent," it said.

 

"RHS encourages others to continue the work it began, ensuring that Scotland’s rural and island communities remain vibrant with affordable and inspiring homes for all who wish to live there."

 

Landowners’ organisation Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) said it was deeply saddened by the announcement.

 

SLE said: "Since it was established in 2001, the organisation has made a "significant and sustained contribution to addressing the urgent housing needs of Scotland’s rural areas, and its absence will be felt across the sector.

 

"RHS was renowned for its pivotal role in demonstrating the stark imbalance between housing demand and supply."

 

SLE’s Patrick Colquhoun added: "The work of Rural Housing Scotland has made a meaningful difference in supporting rural communities to secure affordable housing.

 

"Their innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to raising awareness of housing issues have been crucial in highlighting the challenges we face.

 

“Earlier this year, the Scottish Government published a depopulation action plan and it seems incredibly short sighted that a charity trying to address one of the root causes of depopulation finds itself unable to continue operating.

 

“The Scottish Government has already declared that we are facing a housing emergency, yet the closure of lifeline services on the front line of tackling this emergency would suggest that things are only getting worse, with a disproportional impact on rural communities. Rural Housing Scotland’s closure must be a wakeup call for the Scottish Government.”

 

Ariane Burgess, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, described the sudden closure as “terrible news”.  

 

Ms Burgess, said: “After its tremendous annual conference in Aviemore earlier this year, I’d have hoped that RHS would have had a bright future. I really saw it having a role in bringing people together. It’s not clear there’s any other organisation that can fill that space. 

 

“RHS’s Coordinator Donna Young has done a superb job since taking over the running of the charity in September 2023. Donna, her team and the RHS board of directors have all played a vital role in bringing the need for affordable housing in rural areas to the attention of Scotland’s decision makers and landowners.  

 

“The Scottish Government must do all it can to meet the region’s housing needs, which includes a range of housing options and, in doing so, ensure the survival of Scotland’s vibrant rural and island communities.”

 

The Scottish Government said it had delivered more than 10,000 affordable rural homes between April 2016 to March 2023, and had committed to building thousands more throughout Scotland.