Fife MSP Helen Eadie has revealed there are 152 council houses standing empty in her Cowdenbeath constituency.
Mrs Eadie said: “The recent SNP government spending review has cut the affordable housing budget by 50%.
“Last week the SNP council in Fife accepted that budget while Labour councils opposed it. It’s about time the SNP stood up for Fifers.
“In the meantime it’s vital that no houses are left empty.”
The report comes only weeks after Lochgelly councillor Mark Hood criticised the council for allowing two houses in his ward to stand empty for four years.
In response, Councillor Brian Goodall, chairman of Fife Council’s Housing and Communities committee, said: “The figures are really only a snapshot and don’t really give context or any indication of the work being done to address housing need, supporting transfers and helping homeless in Fife.
“We are constantly working to reduce the number of empty council houses in Fife and reports on our progress are scrutinised by councillors regularly at area committees.
“There are always a proportion of houses empty in the short-term due to turnover”.
