First homes dedicated to local business workers in Badenoch and Strathspey to be launched
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The first part of innovative plans to provide affordable local housing for workers in Badenoch and Strathspey has come forward.
Four homes will be made available initially as part of the pioneering scheme.
There has been a chronic shortage of homes for those wanting to live and work in the strath.
The knock-on effect is that businesses have struggled to recruit staff, and some in tourism even had to close their doors when the area was at its busiest last summer.
The Cairngorms Business Partnership has been working on innovative solutions to help alleviate the housing crisis and make more homes available for employees and business owners .
CBP chief executive Mark Tate said: “We are delighted to now formally launch the Cairngorms Housing Partnership (CHP) with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
“The CHP is a company limited by guarantee that exists to take forward business led initiatives to improve access to homes for local workers.”
The aim is to provide mid market rent properties for local employees. The CBP has been working on an initial pilot scheme with partners at Highland Council and the Highland Housing Alliance and is now ready to advertise the first four properties over the coming week.
They will be available for employees of members of the CHP to rent from June.
The four properties on the Spey House development off Dalfaber Drive in Aviemore consist of two three-bedroom homes at a monthly rental of £633.27 and two two-bedroom homes at a rental of £548.51.
The CHP is providing rent void guarantees for vacant periods between two and six months per property to the Highland Housing Alliance in return for ensuring that these properties are first offered to employees and business owners signed up with the CHP.
In the likely event of over-subscription, the properties will be allocated according to the Highland Housing Register’s housing points system.
Mr Tate said: “Whilst this scheme is initially for just four homes there is a pipeline of around 30 mid market rental properties spread across Carrbridge, Dulnain Bridge, Aveimore, Kincraig, Kingussie and Newtonmore due to be delivered over the next two years with more to follow.
“The scheme has been made possible and initial costs for businesses kept to a minimum by the kind financial support of La Taverna (Stephen White), Quarch Technology Ltd (Mike Dearman), Speyside Wildlife (Sally Dowden) and the CBP.”
Mr Tate and the named individuals will be the founding directors of the CHP which will administer the pilot project until such time as it can become financially independent.
Brodies LLP are in the final stages of setting up the company and are now taking pre-registration for membership.
This is initially open only to members of the CBP and initial cost will be as follows for the first two years membership then annually thereafter (subject to review) – up to five employees: £25; six to 10 employees: £50; 11-25 employees: £125; 26-100 employees: £250 and 101+ employees: £500.
In addition, a fee equivalent to the first month’s rent will be charged to the sponsoring employer for successful placements.
• Email office@visitcairngorms.com for more details on the CHP.
