£568m for affordable housing in Scotland

More affordable homes will be delivered across Scotland this year after the government announced a £35 million increase to council allocations, bringing the total to £568 million.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said that the increases will continue over the coming years, rising to £591 million in 2019-20 and £630 million in 2020-21.

According to the government, more than £756 million will be made available through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2018-19, 28 per cent higher than the previous year. As part of this, councils will benefit from an extra £35 million on previously announced funding for affordable housing.

Stewart said: “Affordable housing is about more than just bricks and mortar – it provides safe, warm homes, helps create a fairer Scotland, and delivers great economic benefits. Statistics show we have delivered almost 72,500 affordable homes since 2007, and we are on track to deliver at least 50,000 over this Parliament, backed by over £3 billion. That is the single biggest investment in, and delivery of, affordable housing since devolution and I am determined to see it benefit all parts of Scotland.

“We will work in partnership with councils and housing associations to deliver quality homes to meet local needs. This investment backs up our ambitions with financial certainty, meaning councils can plan homes now, with a guarantee of increased funding each year.”