The PH8 Community Group is launching a survey in partnership with the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) to inform what housing is needed now and into the future.  
 
The survey results will help shape what housing is provided in Dunkeld, Birnam and surrounding area, led by the needs and aspirations of the community, and will help ensure future sustainability.  
 
One of the key actions in the Community Action Plan is to find ways to enable younger people, families and those working in the area to live locally, and to provide suitable affordable homes for local people.
 
As well as current residents, the Group would also like to hear from people wanting to return or re-locate to the area, and local businesses, including potential new businesses. 
 
The survey is funded by Perth & Kinross Council, as part of a larger project looking at developing affordable housing in five different communities across the area, including Mount Blair, and this one around Dunkeld and Birnam.  
 
Sophie Cade, PH8 Community Matters, says “Housing for all is a key theme in the newly launched PH8 Community Action Plan, and it is great to be taking the first step towards better understanding the issue and how we can tackle it. It is really important that as many people as possible participate in this survey so that there is a strong basis for actions to follow.”
 
Ronnie MacRae, CEO of Communities Housing Trust, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the community of PH8 to understand their specific needs, as part of a wider project across Perthshire. We know demand for quality, affordable housing will be high here, and we now have increased opportunities to address this, with Scottish government policies on land reform, supporting rural housing and community empowerment. 
 
“Community-led housing is often the best option in small, rural communities, as it can be tailored, providing a mix of tenures as well as a mix of house sizes, to give the greatest possible flexibility to residents.” 
 
The surveys can be completed online before Sunday 1 May at: https://www.chtrust.co.uk/surveys. 
 
For anyone needing an extra bit of support to complete the survey online, a series of drop-in sessions are available where anyone can pop in and get help with submitting their response:

• Sat 26 March – Amulree Village Hall, 10am-12pm
• Thurs 7 April – Dalguise Village Hall, 1pm-3pm
• Tues 12 April – Co-working space, Lagmhor, Little Dunkeld, 10am-12pm
• Mon 18 April – Butterstone Village Hall, 10am-12pm
• Sat 23 April – Birnam Library, 9.30-11am and Birnam Arts Café, 11am-12pm

The Mount Blair Community Development Trust (MBCDT) is launching a survey in partnership with the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) to inform what housing is needed now and into the future.  
The survey results will help shape what housing is provided, led by the needs and aspirations of the community, and will help ensure future sustainability.  ​

Colin Reed, Development Officer at MBCDT said: “The Trust are delighted to be working in partnership with CHT and we look forward to sharing the results of this consultation. Access to affordable housing has long been an issue locally and it has been noted once again with responses to our recent Community Action Plan survey.” 

Ronnie MacRae, CEO of Communities Housing Trust, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the Mount Blair community to understand their specific needs, as part of a wider project across Perthshire. We know demand for quality, affordable housing will be high here, and we now have increased opportunities to address this, with Scottish government policies on land reform, supporting rural housing and community empowerment. 

“Community-led housing is often the best option in small, rural communities, as it can be tailored, providing a mix of tenures as well as a mix of house sizes, to give the greatest possible flexibility to residents.” 

The surveys can be completed online before Friday 11 March at: https://www.chtrust.co.uk/surveys. ​