Communities Secretary Angela Constance is to address the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) on how both the government and housing sector will work together in the future.

At a conference later today, 27 February, Ms Constance will give a speech setting out the challenges facing the sector due to Brexit, as well as ensuring a continued supply of 'affordable' housing.

Three key areas the Cabinet Secretary will highlight include;

• The need to take action to address an ageing population, and ensuring more suitable housing and services to help individuals continue to live independently and at home

• Tackling the effects of UK Government's welfare cuts, and meeting the challenge of combating child poverty

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• Safeguarding against the impact of Brexit

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Constance said building high quality 'affordable' housing "is about more than just bricks and mortar".

"It provides safe, warm homes, helps create a fairer Scotland, and delivers great economic benefits," she said.

"As we look to the challenges that lie ahead, that will become ever more important. The UK Government's approach to Brexit threatens jobs, prosperity, and workers. Welfare cuts are plunging more people into poverty. And an ageing population presents big questions in how we support independent living and increase a flexible housing supply."

Continuing, Ms Constance said since 2007 almost 70,000 'affordable' homes have been delivered in Scotland, with at least 50,000 further homes to be delivered by 2021.

She added despite spending £100m each year to protect people from welfare cuts, "there is more we can and must do".

"We have given Councils long term planning assumptions totalling £1.75 billion to March 2021 - providing the guarantee needed to deliver our ambitions. As we look to beyond 2021, I want to begin engagement with the housing sector on the best ways to deliver affordable homes that meet the needs of our changing population.

"We will build on the great work already done as we take new and innovative approaches to ensure another decade of success."

(LM)