Increasing housing supply and supporting home-ownership.
Edinburgh tenants are settling into new flats at a development of 138 homes built through an innovative scheme to deliver much-needed social housing.
This is part of the wider delivery of 50,000 affordable and high quality homes by 2021.
The National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative is the first scheme of its kind in the UK, and has delivered over 1,600 new homes in Scotland to date.
The scheme can offer aspiring homeowners the opportunity to work towards owning their home after saving for a deposit.
Marking the completion of the new homes at Western Harbour, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart met some of the new residents to hear how they are settling in. Mr Stewart said:
“Our vision is that everyone in Scotland live in high quality sustainable homes that they can afford and that meets their needs.
“We are on target to meet our ambitious aim of at least 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, and we are working closely with the public and private sectors to create innovative financing models to increase housing supply.
“These new homes are a fantastic example of how this ground-breaking initiative and partnership working is helping to create a strong community and sense of place at Edinburgh’s Waterfront.”
Tenant Elliot Nettleship, who moved in to his flat in May, said:
“The property is great, and I really look forward to getting to know the rest of the community and seeing how the area develops over the next few years. For me, I honestly don’t think I will get a better chance to own my own property, given the savings scheme that comes along with the development.”
Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“It’s well documented that we are facing enormous pressures on housing in Edinburgh. From the proliferation of short term lets, to having one of the lowest percentages of social housing in any city in Scotland coupled with some of the highest rents and house prices. That’s why Edinburgh council has supported the delivery of these affordable homes with £17 million, working in partnership with the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and the private sector.”
Christa Reekie, director of development and housing at Scottish Futures Trust, part of the partnership that delivered the homes, said: “Increasing the supply and improving the quality of housing across Scotland remains a key priority for us and we are working to put in place innovative solutions to increase the supply of affordable and mid-market rent housing.”
