A new report has revealed the Scottish Government's target to deliver 50,000 new 'affordable' homes by 2021 is within reach.

The Review of Strategic Investment Plans for Affordable Housing publication states the £3 billion 'affordable' housing programme is the biggest undertaken since the 1970s and is set to deliver a net increase of 25,000 new homes to the country's social housing stock.

Researchers have carried out detailed analysis which shows that, at the top end of the predicted numbers of new 'affordable' homes, 49,773 will be delivered, with a lower estimate of 45,387. New-build homes will make up 96% of the total programme.

However, while the number of homes being built looks to be close to target, the report points out it is not easy to tell whether the right type of homes are being built in the right places.

"There is work to do on understanding the distribution of those homes, the extent to which that

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best fits current and future needs and how best to balance the various priorities that a programme of this size seeks to address," the report states.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said the study is good news for the 137,100 households on council waiting lists and many others waiting for homes with housing associations.

"It shows that with the right political leadership Scotland's social housing sector is ready to rise to the challenge of delivering the largest increase in social sector homes since the 1970s," he said.

"Within our grasp, for the first time in a generation, is a significant increase in the affordable homes that so many badly need. However, whilst the headlines numbers are very encouraging, it is not yet clear if the right sort of homes are being built in the right places where people want to live.  We need more detail and clarity on that crucial element of this programme."

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: "We welcome the report's findings which show the 50,000 affordable homes target is potentially within reach. While contributing towards this target has not been without its challenges for our members – for example, the availability and cost of land – housing associations and co-operatives have proven that when set increased targets and given additional funding, they will deliver. Sixty-six percent of the new homes will be built with an RSL as lead developer.

"However, the report also found that it is difficult to fully assess what type of housing is being built and where. In order to ensure that the correct type of housing is built, for example, for people with additional support needs, and in the areas where it is needed, this must be addressed, and this report is the first step in achieving this."

(LM/MH)