Increase in funding for affordable housing

All 32 of Scotland's councils will share £406 million in grant subsidy in 2016/17 to deliver more affordable homes '“ over £100m more than last years' allocation.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced an increase in funding for the building of more affordable homes (Picture by Andrew O'Brien)Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced an increase in funding for the building of more affordable homes (Picture by Andrew O'Brien)
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has announced an increase in funding for the building of more affordable homes (Picture by Andrew O'Brien)

It is part of the Scottish Government’s overall investment of over £572m to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in 2016/17.

The remaining £166m will be managed centrally, with £80 million already announced to help up 2000 first time buyers under the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme. The rest will go to other projects that promote innovation, greener homes and the Home Owners’ Support Fund.

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The overall funding will support delivery of between 8000 and 9000 affordable homes, the first part of a £3bn investment to deliver 50,000 homes by 2021.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “Councils and registered social landlords are crucial to delivering the ambitious target of at least 50,000 affordable homes across Scotland over the lifetime of the next Parliament.

“This funding boost, together with our recent increase to housing subsidies, demonstrates our commitment to helping them achieve it.”

She added: “It is estimated that the 50,000 Affordable Housing Supply Programme will support approximately 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs a year in the construction and related industries in Scotland over the next five years.”