Stirling Council has announced a new five-year strategic housing delivery plan – setting out the council's approach to invest in affordable housing throughout the region.

Over the five-year period 2017/18 - 2020/21 the Council and its partners have delivered 326 affordable homes, providing modern, high quality, energy efficient housing to communities throughout Stirling.

It is anticipated that there will be over 270 units delivered during 2021/22 with an exceptional number of site starts also taking place during the year.

In addition, during 2020/21 the Council were able to secure £3.442m of grant funding to secure the long term future of 118 mid-market rent homes which are managed and maintained by Stirling Council via Steadfast Homes Ltd.

The SHIP 2022/23 to 2026/27 has the potential to deliver more than 1,200 homes, the majority of which would be provided by Stirling Council, Forth Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association.

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Housing Portfolio holder, Councillor Jim Thomson said: "The Strategic Housing Investment Plan highlights the progress we have made and will continue to make to deliver affordable housing for our residents. I am also pleased that the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting Stirling Council to continue to increase the supply of affordable housing, with over £53M of funding allocated to support developments in Stirling from 2020/21 to 2025/26.

"With the demand for housing across Stirling continuing to rise, we remain committed to meet the housing needs of our diverse communities by providing a range of affordable housing options as one of our key strategic priorities."

Depute Portfolio holder for Housing, Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said: "Our ambitious Strategic Housing Investment Plan also sets a minimum target of five per cent of all affordable homes to be delivered to be built to wheelchair accessible standards, ensuring that we provide more housing for those with a disability across the region."

Depute Portfolio holder for Housing, Councillor Danny Gibson, said: "We have a strong track record in delivering new affordable housing and we'll continue to work hard with our housing association partners to build more homes for social rent. Our affordable and energy efficient homes will be economical to heat and will help reduce the risk of people living in fuel poverty."