The announced of a new limited liability partnership (LLP) to tackle the affordable housing crisis has been announced.
Miller Homes, the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Futures' Trust have joined together as part of the National Housing Trust's initiative aimed at fast-tracking the delivery of affordable, mid-market rental homes throughout Scotland.
Edinburgh in particular suffers a shortage of affordable housing and is one of the target areas for the project.
In addition, the initiative aims to enable councils and developers to collaborate on sites that would otherwise have taken longer to get underway, and to safeguard jobs in the housebuilding industry.
Miller Homes is set to commence work on 89 new one, two and three bedroom apartments at its Varcity North development before the end of the year.
Once completed, the homes will be let to employed tenants, predominantly key workers struggling to afford full market rents.
Lothian Homes have been selected by the LLP to manage the completed properties. Under the initiative homes must be available to rent over a five to ten year period, after which tenants will have the opportunity to purchase their house at the market value.
Managing Director of Miller Homes Scotland, David Knight, expressed delight to participate in this "unique and innovative" means of addressing the shortfall in new affordable homes.
He particularly praised how the initiative places less reliance on the public purse for the delivery of affordable housing.
Mr Knight stated: "At such a challenging time for the public and private sectors, it is welcome that Government recognises the important role that the private sector can play in supporting local government meet its obligations in terms of affordable housing.
"In addition to providing affordable rents for key workers, enabling them to live in the city, the initiative also safeguards employment within the housebuilding industry. Both of which provide the potential to deliver further economic benefits for Edinburgh."
Housing Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Paul Edie, also expressed delight that Edinburgh had secured another contract for building more affordable homes.
Mr Edie commented: "The National Housing Trust initiative is an innovative way of tackling the shortage of affordable homes in Edinburgh and I am really excited with this new partnership with Miller Homes.
"This will bring forward another significant housing development in the city - just one of a number of innovative ways we have been increasing the number of badly-needed homes in the city."
(JG/GK)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
01/05/2024
GRAHAM has announced the start of construction work on a new £59m low-carbon development in Edinburgh which combines student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes. The Burnet Point scheme in Abbey Lane is the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by Unite Students, one of ...
01/05/2024
A groundbreaking ceremony has marked the start of the next major phase of works on the replacement development at Liberton High School. Contractor Balfour Beatty welcomed Head Teacher Alison Humphreys, current high school and primary school pupils who will be educated at the new school, and ...
01/05/2024
Scottish housebuilder, Springfield Properties, has signed a new £10 million contract to deliver affordable housing for Moray Council. The Group will receive funds from the sale of the land to Moray Council in the current financial year and the design and build phase, which accounts for the vast ...
01/05/2024
Consulting and engineering firm, Wood, has been awarded a new decarbonisation contract by TotalEnergies (TEPUK) to support flare gas recovery in the North Sea. The 23-month contract, part of the Elgin-Franklin Flare Gas Recovery System Project, follows Wood's successful completion of a field study ...
01/05/2024
The CCG Group has welcomed the news that they have received seven nominations across six categories at this year's Scottish Home Awards. The Scottish Home Awards is one of the most prestigious in the Scottish housing sector and are set to take place at a glitzy award ceremony on the 13th of ...
01/05/2024
SSEN Distribution has announced month-long programme of infrastructure upgrade works at Loch Ness, to improve the reliability of supplies to over 1,300 homes and businesses, as well as boosting network capacity. The project starts on 2 May and is scheduled to finish by the end of the month. Teams ...
01/05/2024
SSEN Transmission has announced the successful completion of the final phase of the new Port Ann to Crossaig electricity transmission line, after almost three years of construction. Supported on 148 new steel-lattice towers, the new line is designed to be more resilient in extreme weather events, ...
01/05/2024
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has been announced as a double winner at this year's British Council of Offices (BCO) Regional Awards for Scotland. The project – developed by Morrison Construction on behalf of University of Strathclyde – was successful in the Corporate Workplace ...
01/05/2024
Perth & Kinross Council has announced that a restoration project on Crieff's 130-year-old Murray Fountain will get underway this month, The improvement project, which was announced last year, will see the James Square landmark's masonry repaired and repointed, as well as electrical works to ...
01/05/2024
The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on proposals to replacing the UK Government's Industrial Injuries Scheme in Scotland. Views are sought on how the Scottish Government's planned Employment Injury Assistance should be delivered and on the next steps for introducing this ...