Scottish Government meets affordable homes build target

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MORE than 50,000 affordable homes have been delivered since the start of the last parliament, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

Statistics published today also show that 9,757 affordable homes were delivered in 2021-22, the highest figure in a single financial year since 2000-01.

The Scottish Government revealed that the 50,000 target was hit during March, despite the challenges and lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years.

It added that the country is now progressing towards its target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with 70% of these for social rent and 10% in rural and island communities.

Housing secretary Shona Robison said, “The pandemic showed the value of a good quality home, but it also threw up significant challenges for all those involved in delivering affordable housing over the past two years. I am very pleased that despite that we have reached our 50,000 target and that since 2007 we have delivered 111,750 affordable homes, with over 78,000 of these for social rent.

“I would like to thank all our partners for helping us deliver so many affordable homes for the people of Scotland. We have now started progress towards our next target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities, as part of our ambition to ensure everyone has a warm, safe, affordable place to call home.

“Scotland has led the way across the UK with the delivery of affordable homes, but this is just part of our mission to deliver a fairer housing sector. Our Housing to 2040 route map is key to this mission, with priorities including action to tackle high rents in the private sector, improve standards and make homes easier to heat.”