Edinburgh Sucks! | City chiefs boast about their 36 affordable flats

City Council

City chiefs boast about their 36 affordable flats

By The Basa ⋅ February 10, 2007 ⋅

The Evening News tonight carries the story of how our good city chiefs affordable housing policy is so good. It made really interesting reading.

This council have had over 20 years in power and now they tell us that they have now succeeded. They have put 36 flats up for rent for NHS workers. What an achievement, and it only took 20 years. We can just imagine the popping of champagne corks in the City Chambers and Housing Chief Sheila Gilmore swinging from the chandeliers telling her press officers to man the telephones and spread the word.

“This scheme demonstrates the important contribution the affordable housing policy can make to making the needs of key workers essential to the needs of the city.

When we first read the article, we were positive it was a typing error. We actually phoned the Evening News and asked whether it was maybe 360 flats or maybe even 3,600 flats which is more like what is required. But no, the little journalist guy was adamant it’s 36 flats.

Over 20 years in power, and you make available 36 flats for NHS staff - probably 3,600 less than is required. Then we have to wonder how many other essential workers will get some as well. Police, Fire Service, Street Cleaners (for Princes Street only), Bus Drivers, Tram Drivers (both of them - one each way on the single line), Council Press Officers.

I can imagine the quote from their manifesto:

“We have now released 36 flats for essential workers. If you vote us in again, we will improve on that - we hope to have another 42 by 2027 - gies yer vote.”

This takes the phrase “too little, too late” to the extreme!

More Info: City chiefs unveil affordable flats for NHS workers