More than 170 new affordable homes are to be built across Scotland as part of the National Housing Trust initiative (NHT).

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess is expected to make the announcement today during a visit to a planned residential and commercial development in Rosyth, where 62 homes are being constructed. The homes in Rosyth will be made available for rent and are a mix of one-, two- and three-bed flats as well as two-, three- and four-bed terraces. A scheduled completion date for the development has been given as summer 2015.

The Hilton development – which will create a new community in the town – will involve hundreds of new homes, a neighbourhood retail centre, care homes, hotel, offices, nursery and restaurant.

In addition to these homes, the new round of NHT agreements will also see 79 new homes built in Aberdeen and 32 new homes in the Highlands.


Welcoming the news, Minister Burgess said: "I am delighted to announce the latest round of deals under the National Housing Trust initiative, which will deliver over 170 brand new and affordable homes to rent in Rosyth, Aberdeen, Inverness and Ardersier.

"Developments such as the new Hilton community in Rosyth not only provide a boost for our construction sector and wider economy, but also offer people and families the chance to rent or buy a new home at affordable rates.

"I have met NHT tenants all over Scotland and have heard how delighted they were to be offered new, high quality homes which met their needs, and how quickly they settled in.

"NHT continues to go from strength to strength, and today's announcement brings the total number of homes to be delivered through the initiative in communities across the country to over 1,700 – all for very little taxpayers' money."

Christa Reekie, Commercial Director at Scottish Futures Trust, which works with local authorities to deliver NHT homes, added: "Based on the outstanding success of the NHT initiative a further phase was launched to help meet demand.

"I am delighted that so far three contracts have been signed to build over 170 additional new homes across three council areas, providing local people with high quality housing at affordable rent levels.

"Importantly, the initiative also continues to help to safeguard jobs in the construction industry."

(JP/IT)