Council updates its housing plan

At least 800 affordable new homes will be built as Argyll and Bute Council sails ahead with its Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). The homes are in the pipeline for construction in the next three years and are in addition to the 91 expected to be completed in 2018/19 and 75 completed in 2017/18. The updated SHIP proposals will be presented to the Scottish Government, outlining the council’s strategic investment in affordable homes over a five-year period up to 2023/24. A council spokesperson said: ‘The council will be working with the government and local housing associations to deliver the homes. ‘Investment of £51.6million has been approved by the government to support the programme up until the end of March 2021. ‘Additional investment is required to complement the Scottish government funds and this includes a contribution from the council’s Strategic Housing Fund (SHF) of £1.9m each year for the next three years. Councillor Robin Currie, leader of communities housing, islands and Gaelic, said: ‘To give Argyll and Bute a great future, we need to encourage people to move here, stay here and work here. ‘Affordable housing is one of keys to ensuring that we can attract and retain residents and employees for local businesses. This ambitious programme brings lots of other benefits with it. ‘Our SHIP delivers on so many levels, meeting local need and contributing to national targets. The construction sector generates investment in the local economy, which supports additional jobs, including apprenticeships. ‘High quality housing improves, health and well-being and adds to the many other benefits of life in Argyll. ‘Last year we said we were confident we could improve on our targets. ‘In just 12 months, our projection for the number of new homes to be built has grown by 250.’ Copies of the SHIP are available at: