Mull gets first key workers’ lets

A new key workers’ housing partnership will rent out its fi rst two lets to teachers and nurses on Mull. The strategic partnership between Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council comes in response to struggles district-wide to fi ll key posts in teaching, nursing and caring because of a lack of affordable housing, both “ for rent and to buy.

Before he retired on July 1, ACHA’s Chief Executive Alastair MacGregor said he was delighted the fi rst two lets would be on Mull. He added: ‘This initiative makes a lot of sense in a number of ways. While we are actively working to provide new housing in rural Argyll and the islands, at the moment we have both a supply and in many cases affordability challenge for key workers to be able to purchase. ‘This initiative will allow our tenants’ children to be taught and their families to have care and nursing provision in our more remote communities.’ ACHA also has plans to build 20 more homes on Mull, fi ve others are in the offi ng on Ulva as well as four more in Dervaig. Argyll and Bute Council’s executive director Douglas Hendry said the new key workers’ housing partnership was an ‘important element’ of responding to housing needs and helping to make

Argyll and Bute the place for people to work. And Morven McPhillips, local area manager for Oban, Lorn and the Islands at Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership added that is was a welcome incentive for professionals looking to relocate to Mull to work. This initiative Earlier this year, a feasibility will allow our tenants’ children study commissioned by Mull and Iona Community Trust revealed accommodation to be taught and was urgently needed for at their families to least 260 workers across have care and both islands including key nursing workers at schools, in provision healthcare and other public sector organisations. Funding will now be sought for an accommodation pilot scheme, working with Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, businesses and other stakeholders.