Residents in the Highland are to benefit from more affordable homes after the Highland Council secured a further procurement round in the NHT scheme.

The National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative, 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 being underwritten by the Scottish Government.

Homes are available for 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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Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "The initiative has already been hugely successful, providing hundreds of new affordable homes for families throughout Scotland, as well as stimulating growth and supporting hundreds of 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 for rent in the Highlands.

"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 affordable homes for people across Scotland.

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

Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Finance Housing and Resources Committee added: "We are delighted to be participating in the next round of the NHT housing initiative with a commitment to fund a further 50 new homes for mid-market rent. This builds on the success of the first two rounds which has seen 135 new homes built in the Highlands. This is more good news for the Highlands."

(JP/CD)