MORE than 6,000 households in Clackmannanshire face one or more forms of housing need, according to a new report.

The report, commissioned by Home for Scotland (HFS), was one of the most comprehensive polls into the housing needs of the nation, highlighting that allegedly nearly 25 per cent of Wee County homes are in need of support.

The investigation was carried out by the Diffley Partnership and Rettie & Co and found that estimates of housing need to date, calculated through the Scottish Government’s Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA), have significantly underestimated how many households are facing housing hardship, including those in Clacks.

According to this report, a significantly higher number of households in the Wee County than currently identified should be counted as being in housing need.

This included 3,000 households that had at least one concealed household, which is defined as an individual or group wishing to move out and form their own household but are unable to do so.

Other examples of housing needs include overcrowded accommodation; unfit properties as a result of very poor conditions; specialised housing adaptation or support; and high housing costs.

Jane Wood, chief executive for HFS, said: “Adequate housing is a human right, but today more than a quarter of households in Scotland are in one or more forms of housing need – including 6,100 in Clackmannanshire.

“There is simply no excuse for Scotland to continue this housing deficit trajectory.

“By utilising data to inform policies, and with public and private sectors working collaboratively and intelligently together, we have the opportunity to recognise the true extent of housing need in Scotland and to build the homes of all tenures that we need in adequate numbers and in the right place.

“We need to create an inclusive and agile housing system, one that meets the needs of all those living in Scotland and can cope with additional demand caused by unexpected and global events.

“We are committed to working with Clackmannanshire Council to do just that.”

Official housing data also revealed that 100 households in Clackmannanshire are living in homeless temporary accommodation, with more than 1,200 people on a waiting list for a social home.

Cllr Jane McTaggart, spokesperson for housing and property, said: “The council takes its commitment to housing very seriously.

“While we view this report as informative, it is a broad brush survey which doesn’t offer a clear, complete view of our position.

“Our internal review of housing needs and demand, together with our revised business plan, both of which will be developed over the course of this financial year, are intended to give us a clearer picture of the housing environment in Clackmannanshire to inform our strategy going forward.”