Highlands & Islands MSP meets team behind Scotland’s first co-housing rental project

Highlands & Islands MSP Emma Roddick has met with some of the team behind Hope Cohousing. Based in the Orkney Islands, the project will become Scotland’s first entirely rental co-housing scheme.

The SNP representative told Radio Orkney on Tuesday [4th April] evening that she loved speaking with those driving the development.

The community interest company, which is working to build a small co-housing community for older people to reside in St Margaret’s Hope, was born out of conversations between members about their future housing needs and the potential of living cooperatively in old age.

Sitting down for a chat with the local MSP, the team members explained how their plans to build six eco-aware houses with shared amenities would greatly benefit both tenants and the wider community. 

Commenting, Ms Roddick said:

“It was fascinating to hear about how the Hope Cohousing project came about and to chat with the team about the many benefits that this style of living can bring to tenants and communities.

“Tackling housing issues has always been my top priority, and it is fantastic to see community-led solutions like this coming together in my region. Local people know best what they need, and I want to listen to them and help empower them to take action based on that.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for both future tenants and the wider community here in Orkney and is something that other rural and island areas can certainly take inspiration from.

“I am very much looking forward to following the project’s progress and seeing it come to life.”