OVER £207 million is to be spent on improving and expanding council housing across Edinburgh this financial year, the capital’s local authority has announced.
Members of the City of Edinburgh Council housing, homelessness, and fair work committee approved the 2026/27 housing revenue account (HRA) capital programme for investment, which is part of the housing revenue account budget strategy 2026/27 to 2035/36.
The programme includes a commitment of over £111 million for housebuilding in 2026-27, contributing to the development of around 4,275 new affordable houses over the next five years. This is the first year of a major intervention to address the housing emergency through the allocation of a total £1.3 billion to deliver settled homes over five years.
Amongst the housebuilding projects being progressed under the programme are, the design of homes to replace Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court; new developments at Murrayburn, Greendykes, Burdiehouse, and Powderhall; and neighbourhood redevelopment at Granton Waterfront.
The budget is inclusive of £18.3 million allotted to acquiring homes from private developers to help boost settled accommodation while £2.5 million will be spent bringing empty homes up to a lettable standard.
Almost £70 million will support improvements across the city’s high-rise blocks, from significant refurbishment as part of the council’s retrofit programme to fire safety improvements and window replacements, while £45 million is allocated for investment in the Low-Rise estate. This will focus on essential upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms and windows alongside repairs and energy efficiency works as part of Mixed Tenure improvement work.
Councillor Tim Pogson, City of Edinburgh Council housing, homelessness, and fair work convener, said, “In 2023 we became the first city in Scotland to declare a housing emergency and we’re still committed to tackling this head-on. The Housing Revenue Account investment programme demonstrates our dedication through a range of ambitious projects to boost our housing stock and improve the standards of our existing estate.
“Like cities and towns across the country we’re facing huge challenges in terms of housing shortages, the cost of living and a rising population. By investing wisely I’m confident that we can and will lessen the impact of these issues and make sure everyone has a safe place to live.”
