| The additional cash has been approved by communities minister Malcolm Chisholm, and will be made available by housing and regeneration agency Communities Scotland.
Dundee is receiving an extra £2.2 million to accelerate ongoing projects, taking the total spent on the city’s affordable housing programme to more than £12 million. Perth and Kinross was the biggest winner of the three Tayside authorities, gaining an additional £8 million, while Angus is getting £2.5 million.
The minister said, “The Executive is investing record amounts to provide more decent, warm, affordable homes to meet people’s needs. Last year, this provided 6500 homes against a target of 6400 across Scotland.
“Earlier this year, we announced a programme of £439 million for 7100 affordable homes through Communities Scotland. I am determined to keep up this momentum.”
The extra Dundee funding will allow projects at Lawside Works, James Street, Albert Street and Keswick Terrace to be brought forward, delivering new homes for people across the city. Mr Chisholm added, “More investment now will help delivery on the ground.
“The additional £2.2 million in Dundee in the current year will be used to speed up projects already under way and bring our investment in the area up to £12.2 million.”
Dundee City Council administration leader, Councillor Jill Shimi, said she was “delighted” with the award of extra funding to speed up projects in the city.
She added, “The city council is very supportive of affordable housing as it is an important part of the housing mix in this city.
“We work closely in partnership with housing associations and other agencies to ensure these developments can be brought forward to improve people’s lives.
“I am glad to see these projects will be completed sooner that anticipated.”
In Perth and Kinross, the investment is funding the purchase of a major site at Oudenarde for new affordable homes in the future, as well as accelerating projects already under way.
Three hundred homes are planned for the new site, near Bridge of Earn, to be owned and developed by Hillcrest Housing Association. They will be available for affordable rent as well as purchase through the Homestake shared equity programme. Building work is due to begin in 2007.
The share going to Angus will also help accelerate existing projects and fund the purchase of former NHS land in Forfar and Carnoustie.
Thirty homes are planned for the sites, to be owned and developed by Angus Housing Association.
Six homes for affordable rent and eight properties to be sold through the Homestake programme will be built on the site of Forfar’s former infirmary. The homes for affordable rent will be designed for tenants with special needs.
In Carnoustie, land at the former health centre in Dundee Street will provide the space on which to build 16 homes for affordable rent, with one house built for a tenant with special needs. |
