What measures it has taken to increase access to social housing for local people in (a) rural and (b) urban areas in the last three years.

I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:Communities Scotland's housing investment programme has increased access to social housing for local people in urban and rural areas by providing new or improved housing, to meet the needs of those on low incomes seeking to rent social housing and through providing housing to replace or improve non-effective or poor quality housing thus improving the quality of life of the residents.As a result, Communities Scotland expenditure on social rented housing in Urban and Rural Areas (1999-2000 to 2001-02) has been as follows:Communities Scotland
- Expenditure on Social Rented Housing in Urban and Rural Areas (2000-01 to 2002-03)Year | Urban Areas (£ million) | Rural Areas (£ million)
1999-2000 | 129.0 | 34.6
2000-01 | 138.3 | 38.3
2001-02 | 141.6 | 48.6