North Lanarkshire Council has welcomed the news that their Open Market Purchase Scheme (OMPS) is making "significant strides in bolstering council housing supply".

The OMPS helps support the council's new build supply programme, with 126 homes purchased during the 2023/24 period.

Michael McPake, Convener of Housing explained: "Over the years, the scheme has helped with the acquisition of hundreds of properties, including former council housing and empty properties. It has also allowed us to complete council ownership of blocks to allow us to carry out much-needed communal repairs.

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"Through the expansion of the scheme, we are now able to purchase directly from private landlords, and this has allowed us to prevent homelessness and provide quality housing for families and people to rent in areas of high demand.

"By acquiring privately owned properties, we are not only increasing housing supply but also revitalising communities."

In 2021, the scheme was expanded to include the acquisition of homes that enable common works in priority blocks, and in August 2022, the program was further expanded to consider purchasing properties from private landlords, allowing tenants to remain in their homes as council tenants.

An update on the progress of the Open Market Purchase Scheme (OMPS) was provided to the recent housing committee, with Councillor McPake highlighting that 374 long-term empty properties have been brought back into use, providing refurbished homes to those in need and addressing problems caused by vacant and derelict properties.

Since its launch 2013, a total of 756 homes have been purchased by the council with financial support received from the Scottish Government.