Scottish Self-Build Loan Fund extended for a year

The Self-Build Loan Fund provided by the Scottish Government and administered by the Communities Housing Trust has been extended for another year, and will now accept applications until August 2022.

As banks became more cautious, it became more challenging for people to find funds to build their own home. The Self-Build Loan Fund of £4 million was established in 2018 to support those unable to obtain mainstream self-build mortgage finance.

Scottish ministers have now extended the Fund for a further year, recognising the national slowdown brought about by the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, as well as ongoing need and increasing demand. The new application deadline is 31 August 2022, with loans to be repaid by August 2023.

Neil Walker, Self-Build Loan Fund Officer, Communities Housing Trust: “We saw public interest in the scheme rise by 153% over 2020. The Fund is really important for small, rural or remote communities across Scotland. Self-build is sometimes the only option to stay in your own community, whether young or old, where housing is limited and developers won’t build. We’d like to thank the Scottish Government and are extremely pleased to see this Fund extended, so we can continue to support families, elderly people, crofters and couples to build their own homes, and help strengthen their communities.”

Gary and Susan, Self-Build Loan Fund recipients: “The Self-Build Loan Fund provided vital bridging finance. Having the loan also meant that we could pursue the build quickly, within the limited construction window available due to island weather… The Fund provides vital access to finance and knowledge, making the personal dream of home ownership available to local families.”

For more information about the Self-Build Loan Fund, and to apply, please visit: