Councils to share £40m to boost supply of affordable homes

Councils across Scotland will be able to share an additional £40 million to increase the supply of affordable homes, ministers say.

The money will contribute to tackling homelessness, with the Scottish Government aiming to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

The £40 million will be used to purchase properties in order to reduce temporary accommodation and bring vacant buildings back into use.

In John Swinney’s Programme for Government outlined last week, £600 million was committed to affordable housing in the current financial year.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “The delivery of affordable homes is the foundation of family life and is fundamental to how we achieve our priorities of eradicating child poverty and growing the economy.

“The key to tackling homelessness and reducing the time spent by families in temporary accommodation is to deliver more affordable homes.

“We have already supported councils to purchase almost 1,500 properties in 2023-24 for use as affordable homes. However, we must do more and by committing £40 million this year, we are accelerating that work.

“This money will help councils provide a warm, safe place that families can call home again.”

Mr McLennan has said the 2032 target is achievable, though opposition parties have questioned whether that is the case.