Scottish Government
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Affordable homes scheme goes from strength to strength
In response to the demand for more from councils and developers, a further procurement round of a ground-breaking scheme – which is already delivering over 1000 new affordable homes across Scotland – has been launched.
The National Housing Trust initiative (NHT) allows developers and councils to jointly fund the purchase of new homes, with local authority loans to the initiative being underwritten by the Scottish Government.
Homes are available for rent at below market rates for five to 10 years before being sold, with tenants given priority to buy at the end of the rental period.
13 developers across 10 council areas are already participating in the initiative, and hundreds of households are already enjoying living in their new homes.
Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife Councils are participating in this latest procurement round.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said:
“The scheme has already been hugely successful, providing hundreds of new affordable homes for families throughout Scotland, as well as stimulating growth and supporting jobs in the construction sector and wider economy.
“This new procurement round will build on the good work already carried out and create even more affordable homes in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife.
“Despite Westminster’s drastic cuts to our capital budget the Scottish Government remains committed to doing everything it can to stimulate growth and deliver more high quality affordable homes for people across Scotland.
“I would urge house builders to embrace the opportunities offered through this latest procurement round.”
Aberdeen City Council’s Housing and Environment Convener, Neil Cooney said:
“The participation in NHT shows Aberdeen City Council's commitment to providing new affordable housing in the city and compliments its own new build housing programme over the past couple of years.
“We will continue to work in partnership with developers, registered social landlords and the Scottish Government to ensure we are doing all we can to continue to address housing need in Aberdeen.”
Councillor John Alexander, Convenor of Housing at Dundee City Council said:
“Dundee City Council has already secured 114 units for affordable rent at Wallace Craigie and East Links Place through the two previous rounds of NHT.
“These will provide much needed high quality energy efficient homes helping those in lower paid employment.
“Dundee City Council hopes to extend the opportunities afforded by the NHT scheme by participating in this next round of NHT procurement.”
Councillor Cammy Day, Housing Leader for The City of Edinburgh Council said:
"We are committed to providing high quality, affordable homes and are always looking at new and innovative ways of increasing the number available in Edinburgh due to the high demand. The NHT model has really taken off in the capital with 422 homes being built, half of which have already been completed.
“The £46 million we have made available through the first round of NHT is a perfect example of the public and private sectors working in partnership to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and supporting regeneration. We look to continue this partnership by facilitating a further £24 million through NHT 2B."
Christa Reekie, commercial director at the Scottish Futures Trust said:
“The four local authorities have already participated in NHT and we are delighted that they have decided to procure more homes under NHT.
“Whilst meeting the needs for affordable housing for rent, the NHT initiative, currently worth £150 million, has also been designed to aid the economy and keep people in jobs by allowing developers and house builders to kick-start construction on stalled sites.
“We are confident that the local authorities will receive very competitive tenders from local builders and developers keen to get construction moving again on their sites.”
Related information
New NHT homes are already being provided in Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Highland, Scottish Borders and Stirling.
The tender adverts for this procurement can be accessed through the following links:
National Housing Trust Initiative Phase 2B - Aberdeen City Council
National Housing Trust Initiative Phase 2B - Dundee City Council
National Housing Trust Initiative Phase 2B - The City of Edinburgh Council
