The Scottish Government has unveiled a new £10 million fund to build 'affordable' homes across the Highlands.

Announcing the finance today, 23 June, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said the Highland Infrastructure Fund allows the local authority to begin planning for future housing projects.

With £9m being provided by the Government, and an additional £1m from the local authority, the initiative will allow the council to provide support in the form of either an infrastructure grant or loan to facilitate housing sites to move forward to construction.

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Overall, the scheme will support government plans to deliver 50,000 'affordable' homes, including 35,000 for social rent, by 2021.

Minister Stewart said: "Increasing the supply of affordable homes is a key commitment and vital to our ambition of tackling poverty and inequality in our society.

"Recent figures show encouraging signs of activity within the sector as a whole and we want to keep that momentum going through continued investment.

"This fund will support the delivery of new housing in the Highlands and means

the council can plan for new affordable homes now.

"It's a great example of how partnership working can deliver good quality homes in rural areas that suit the needs of local people, allowing them to remain within their communities."

The fund is part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal which also includes plans to improve transport networks, digital connectivity and the creation of a hub to encourage innovation of high growth businesses.

(LM)