In 2014 we were funded by the Scottish Government’s Learning Network Challenge Fund to research local attitudes to housing need through a series of workshops.  We were able to gain a clearer understanding of the issues impacting on housing in our community. We have a unique set of challenges within our community: land is expensive and much of the village is both in a Conservation Area and on a flood plain, limiting availability of space for new build.  The existing housing stock is old and energy-inefficient.  We have young people who don’t necessarily see having a home of their own as a goal, and for whom there are not the jobs or education opportunities to remain in the community anyway.  We have older people who would like to remain in their community but who are put off by the lack of suitable amenity housing and support mechanisms and the vulnerability of services in the village.

In 2016 we carried out feasibility work on community housing in Moniaive which identified suitable long-term empty properties for development.  With funding from Scottish Government Rural Housing Fund and SSE Dumfries & Galloway Sustainable Development Fund we were able to purchase and renovate 12 Sawmill Green, Moniaive in 2019/20. Progress was delayed by the Covid Pandemic, but our first tenant was able to move in during August 2020.  In 2021 our project won the “Best Long Term Empty Homes Restoration Project” award at the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership Awards Ceremony.

Moving forward to 2023, Housing stock across Glencairn is now in short supply.  We know from local engagement that there is always a demand for affordable housing, particularly for young singles and for families.  Existing housing is often expensive to buy / rent and is energy inefficient, so is also expensive to heat. Lack of available familiy homes means that families are having to move away, and this risks the viability of our school, playcare, and other amenities.

The property market, both sales and rentals, is currently very buoyant.  Unfortunately, this makes it very unlikely that we will be able to purchase property to create more community housing until the market slows. If that happens, we will review available buildings to see if any would be suitable to attract grant funding for renovation to affordable housing.