Midlothian PSL Scheme Gets Off the Mark
05/02/2008
The first of the tenants to benefit from an innovative scheme to provide more housing options in their local communities was delighted to move into her furnished home with her young daughter, just before Christmas.
The first of the tenants to benefit from an innovative scheme to provide more housing options in their local communities was delighted to move into her furnished home with her young daughter, just before Christmas.
Inga Viclene welcomed Depute Provost of Midlothian Councillor Margot Russell and Director of Policy and Business Development for Orchard and Shipman, Andrew Morrison, when they visited her in her home in Newtongrange to see just what a difference being part of the scheme has meant to her and her family.
Midlothian Council and Orchard and Shipman entered into a Private Sector Leasing Scheme (PSL) which will allow the Council to provide quality accommodation to people who may have lost their homes through, for example, unemployment or relationship breakdown, instead of looking at temporary housing options such as expensive bed and breakfast accommodation.
Margot Russell, Depute Provost for Midlothian Council said; "This scheme is an innovative way of meeting the increasing demands for housing in our area and we fully expect that it will help us to meet these demands in a way which benefits both the tenant and the Council. I was delighted to visit Inga in her new home and look forward to many other tenants enjoying the benefits of the scheme."
With around 800 homeless cases being presented in Midlothian each year and around 3.600 people on the Council's waiting list any expansion of the private rented market is to be welcomed.
Andrew Morrison, Orchard and Shipman’s Director of Policy and Business Development said: “We are delighted to be acting as managing agents for Midlothian Council’s Private Sector Leasing scheme. In return for a guaranteed rent for 3-5 years, landlords and investors have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping provide accommodation for people in housing need. I would encourage landlords and buy-to-let investors to contact us to learn more about how they can get involved with Private Sector Leasing. This scheme builds on the success of our work in Edinburgh where we currently have over 1,150 properties under management.”
To find out more information call the Procurement Team on 0131 553 0088 or email enquiriesscotland@orchard-shipman.com