The City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing Leader Councillor Paul Edie has welcomed the Scottish Government’s policy paper 'Housing Fit for The 21st Century today'.

Cllr Edie said: “The paper sets out many of the innovative proposals which we have already been developing in partnership with the Scottish Government. These include being the first local authority to sign up for the National Housing Trust Initiative, delivering mid market rental housing and developing our 21st Century Homes programme which will provide up to 1300 new homes including the first new Council homes for a generation.

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“Everyone knows that there is a need for more homes in this country and that the crisis in Edinburgh is particularly acute. The city needs 36,600 new homes to meet the demand for new housing over the next ten years with at least 16,600 of these being affordable. Home ownership is now out of the reach of many people in the city."

“Most people would now require an average deposit of £45,000 to buy a two bedroom property. This is putting increased pressure on the private rented sector and on affordable housing," he continued.

“The Council and its partners have a strong track record in delivering a range of affordable housing options which have delivered much better value investment than in other parts of the country. We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to address the serious housing issues facing the city.”

(GK)