Affordable homes plan boosted by £11.2m award

More affordable homes will be delivered across South Ayrshire this financial year following an increased funding allocation to £11.2million.

Increases have been guaranteed for the next three years, rising to £11.9m in 201920 and £12.7m in 2020-21.

Scottish Government investment will bring the overall funding allocation for affordable housing across all councils to £1.79b by 2020-21.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Affordable housing is about more than just bricks and mortar — it provides safe, warm homes, and delivers great benefits for South Ayrshire and the country as a whole.

“We will work in partnership with councils and housing associations to deliver quality homes to meet the needs of South Ayrshire, backed with financial certainty.

“It means the council can plan homes now, with a guarantee that funding will increase each year.”

A council spokesman said: “South Ayrshire’s affordable housing programme has been a real success. In the last 10 years over 800 affordable homes have been built, but this is not just about building houses, we’re working with our partners to build communities and ensure tenants have bright and spacious homes which can be adapted to their needs.

“We have a target to deliver 1000 additional affordable homes by 2023 so this increase in funding is most welcome.”