A national newspaper has backed a scheme by a council to purchase private properties and them let them out to lower paid local workers who may otherwise not be able to afford to rent.

Scotland’s Daily Record has published an editorial praising an initiative by the Highlands council.

The newspaper says: “Holiday lets are squeezing Scots out of the market. 

“That the Highlands are facing a housing crisis is not in doubt. Holiday lets and second-home purchases are squeezing locals out of the market. Places such as Skye do not even have enough room for workers to service the tourism industry. Young people, even on an above-average wages, are locked out of entry from the rural property market.

“The problem cannot be solved overnight but Highland Council’s approach of offering to buy up private properties at a sensible price and renting them out as council housing stock is innovative and appeals to the community spirit. 

“Many people who come to inherit a family home cannot use it themselves but do not want to see the community that nurtured them turned inside out by the online rental revolution.

“Selling directly to the council makes sure that the rental goes to a key worker or a local resident who will have the long-term interest of their area in mind. Even one more council house in a village can make a massive difference in keeping a school open or an essential service running.”

The editorial continues: “Other councils across Scotland could do well to follow the example of Highland Council. 

“But the real solution is not just appealing to community spirit or making a symbolic gesture. More money has to go into building and keeping housing stock in local authority or housing association control.

“The long-term solution is to acquire and release more land for housing and to fund local residents to get on the property or rental ladder.”

You can see the editorial here.