11
Mar
Scottish government unveils affordable housing investment
A record £644 million will be spent to provide more affordable
and rental housing in Scotland, the Scottish government has
stated.
Housing and communities minister Alex Neill unveiled the Affordable
Housing Investment Programme, with the money to be used to create
an extra 6,500 new or enhanced homes.
Affordable rental housing provision will be a top priority this
year, Mr Neill said.
He added: "This year our planned investment is higher than ever,
ensuring we can deliver much needed affordable housing …
while safeguarding jobs, supporting the construction industry and
keeping the economy moving."
Mr Neill noted that the budget includes £120 million brought
forward from future spending plans, noting that the investment is
part of a wider programme to boost the Scottish economy.
Last month the Empty Homes Agency argued that bringing currently
unoccupied properties back into use would be the most
straightforward way to improve affordability in the UK.
