£78m to build council homes

Share of Holyrood fund

South Lanarkshire Council has welcomed a £78.7 million boost for affordable housing over the next three years.

It is part of £1.75 billion Scottish Government investment across the country.

The council have already pledged to deliver 1000 new homes by 2022.

Fifty homes are currently being constructed and a further 210 are programmed to start during the course of 2017 and early 2018.

Councillor Josh Wilson, chair of the housing and technical resources committee, said: “The news provides the certainty both the local authority and the sector need to continue our ambitious plans to provide new high-quality accommodation and improve the lives of our tenants and communities.

“One thousand new homes by 2021/22 is an ambitious target but, with support from the Scottish Government, one that we will look to meet while adding value in terms of a range of other community benefits, including employment and training opportunities.”

The new target doubles the figure the council had previously set for the new homes programme and sits alongside housing improvement works.

Cllr Wilson added: “New council houses are being designed to meet changing modern living standards and in a range of innovative and flexible styles to meet a range of needs.

“Modern design and insulation and the incorporation of renewable technologies such as solar panels will also ensure the homes are energyefficient and cheaper to run, benefiting the environment as well as household budgets.”

East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said: “The announcement provides the certainty that our local authority and the sector need to keep progressing and ensures we keep up the momentum to reach the Scottish Government’s target of 50,000 new affordable homes by 2021.

“Increasing the supply of affordable homes is a key SNP commitment and plays a vital role in helping to tackle poverty and inequality.

By committing funding until the end of this parliament we will help ensure that Scotland leads the way in building homes that are high-quality, efficient and affordable, strengthening our housebuilding sector and the estimated 14,000 jobs that the affordable housing supply programme supports each year.

“Everyone in Scotland deserves a warm, affordable home and, with a huge number of affordable homes approved last year, we are making great progress towards that aim.”

One thousand new homes by 2021/22 is an ambitious target