£40m pledged for new council homes

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Development

Councils are set to receive a share of £40m to develop new council homes, the Scottish government's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today.

The government expects the funds to help deliver around 1,000 new homes, mainly for social rent.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This funding will deliver up to 1,000 affordable homes that meet people’s needs, a central focus of our housing polices and a principle that underpins everything we do.

“It will help realise our ambition of 5,000 council homes as part of wider plans to deliver more than 30,000 affordable homes during this Parliamentary term.

“Quite simply, investing in new homes helps people into work by creating a jobs spin-off with the employment and training that takes place during construction.

“This funding illustrates that despite the 26 percent cut to our capital budget by Westminster, the Scottish Government is determined to continue investing in new social housing.

“If we want a strong economy, we must have access to all of Scotland’s resources, not just the portion of Scotland’s resources that the UK Government chooses to give us.”

Pauline Mills, Land & Planning Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: “As one of Scotland’s largest house builders delivering high-quality new homes is our area of expertise, and the provision of social housing is an integral part of our business across Scotland.

“The announcement today of funds for Councils to provide more new affordable homes, highlights the importance of the house building industry and the key role that it plays in creating a positive impact on the economic landscape of Scotland.

“We’re delighted to have secured this latest contract with Melville Housing Association to build 20 two and three bedroom new affordable homes and apartments as an integral part of our overall development of new homes at Scholars Green in Dalkeith.”