In response to the demand from councils and developers, a further procurement round of the National Housing Trust Initiative (NHT) has been launched.

The scheme, which has already delivered more than 1,000 new affordable homes across Scotland, allows developers and councils to jointly fund the purchase of new homes, with local authority loans to the initiative being underwritten by the Scottish Government.

Homes are made available to rent at below market rates for five to 10 years before being sold, with tenants given priority to buy at the end of the rental period.

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A total of 13 developers across 10 council areas are already partaking in the project, and the latest procurement round will be for Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife Council.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "The scheme has already been hugely successful, providing hundreds of new affordable homes for families throughout Scotland, as well as stimulating growth and supporting jobs in the construction sector and wider economy.

"This new procurement round will build on the good work already carried out and create even more affordable homes in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife.

"Despite Westminster's drastic cuts to our capital budget the Scottish Government remains committed to doing everything it can to stimulate growth and deliver more high quality affordable homes for people across Scotland.

"I would urge house builders to embrace the opportunities offered through this latest procurement round."

(JP/CD)