Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil announced today that £45 million funding will accelerate building of at least 800 new low cost homes across Scotland.

The resources will be focused on stimulating the country's house building industry and tackling homelessness.

The money comes from £31 million in UK budget consequentials allocated to housing developments across Scotland, while an additional £14 million has been freed up within the Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP) because Glasgow Housing Association has agreed to spread some of the grant funding it is due over a longer period.

As a result of the additional funding, the Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP) for 2010-11 will rise to £502 million delivering over 7,100 homes for rent or low cost ownership.

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The Minister also launched the first in a series of nationwide events to discuss the future of housing policy in Scotland.

In Ayr, Alex Neil said: "This government is putting in place a range of measures to increase the supply of affordable homes, support jobs and increase economic activity.

"This funding will be targeted at accelerating construction starts and will enable at least 800 new homes to go on site earlier than planned this year.

"It will inject renewed confidence in Scotland's building industry and help to tackle homelessness.

"Despite swingeing budget cuts from the UK government, over the three years (2008 - 2011) we aim to approve 21,500 affordable homes across the country."

Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, added: "We are pleased to see that the Scottish government is following through with the UK budget consequentials and investing an extra £31m on housing in Scotland, and that this money is being invested in the current year.

"It is also pleasing to see that every opportunity to bring forward investment, and deliver it early, is being taken. This will undoubtedly be a great boon to the house builders concerned."

(GK/KMcA)