KEY WORKER HOUSING: TARBERT
HDL are developing a project to build 6 modular accommodation units in the Tarbert area of Harris, in three separate locations, to alleviate a serious shortage of housing for key workers who are essential to service the economy and public services in Harris.
The units would offer year-round accommodation for workers that would be energy efficient, sustainable, and cost effective. They would be
leased to public and private sector organisations to overcome the accommodation crisis felt on the Island currently.
To further examine the issue and look for possible solutions, Harris Development Limited commissioned a Feasibility Study that was published in November 2019 by Threesixty Architecture and the Torrance Partnership LLP. Community consultation was undertaken as part of the study and the feedback provided was consistent with the view that there is a pronounced problem of a lack of housing for organisations.
The project greatly benefited from support from the North Harris Trust when they decided to become a partner of Harris Development Ltd and agreed to donate their costs of the land as match funding for the project. The expertise of North Harris Trust, especially regarding resumption of the land, will be invaluable.
To purchase the sites and develop the project further HDL applied to the Scottish Land Fund for capital and revenue funding. It was announced on December 14th 2023 that HDL were successful and received the following funds:
Capital award for purchasing the three sites was £79,790 and revenue funding of £68,000 to cover a two-year post which is a total award of £147,790
In April 2024, HDL appointed their Development Officer and are looking to progress the project by partnering with the North Harris Trust to resume the land, purchase the land, secure further funding to progress the design stage in conjunction with further community engagement and result in partially resolving the desperate need for key worker accommodation on Harris.