The Housing and Social Work Service continues to work to secure affordable housing with private developers, registered social landlords as well as through bids for funding from Scottish Government.
The 13 properties recently completed in Laurencekirk and Stonehaven combine Scottish Government and council funding to a total of £3.23 million and have been built to the highest standards of energy efficiency with solar panels to heat water.
Six properties have been built at Arduthie Gardens in Stonehaven by contractors O'Hare and McGovern Limited who also worked on the housing at Laurencekirk.
Four one bedroom flats and two semi detached two bedroom properties have been developed and a ground floor flat has been adapted for a tenant with physical disabilities in Stonehaven.
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The development at Wishart Court in Laurencekirk is made up of seven properties consisting of four one bedroom flats, two semi detached properties with three bedrooms and a four bedroom detached property.
The four bedroom property has been adapted specially to accommodate the Morrison family’s needs.
David and Kelly Morrison and their five children (Jordan, 14; Shannon, 12; Kenzie, 7; Declan 5 and Keisha, 2) were in accommodation that was unsuitable for their changing needs and said the new property is now making life much easier for them.
David was in a motorbike accident which left him with mobility problems and son Declan has a genetic condition which means he also requires support.
Although David and Declan will always have health problems, David said that the family are all pleased with their new property and are settling in well with a lot more space.
Kelly added: "What a difference the new house has made, even the smallest things have made a big impact.
"David has a lot more independence and can move more freely about the house than he did in our old place and the walk in shower has made things so much easier for him."
All the new homes form part of a programme of house building that has taken place across Aberdeenshire over the last two years.
Aberdeenshire Council currently has around 7,200 people on its housing waiting list and has secured over £4million in total from the Scottish Government towards the cost of building 163 new homes.
(GK)
