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The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing increased funding in next year's budget for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.
During a visit to an affordable housing development in East Lothain, Housing Minister Paul McLennan said that the investment could see the total budget for delivering affordable homes rise to £768 million in 2025-26 – an increase of more than £200 million compared to this year's published budget.
Other measures in the Scottish Government's draft Budget aimed at tackling the housing emergency include:
• £4 million to support local authorities and frontline services to prevent homelessness
• £2 million to transform empty properties into safe, warm, affordable homes
In addition, £1 million for registered social landlords and third sector partners will be available this year to fund work to help sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness.
Speaking during his visit to the development in Haddington, Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: "Investing in safe, warm and affordable homes is key to our top priority to tackle child poverty.
"We already have a strong track record in affordable housing, having supported the delivery of 133,000 affordable homes since 2007 – this includes our £2.9 million investment in the development at Haddington. That's 45% more per head of the population than in England and 70% more than in Wales.
"By increasing the affordable housing supply budget in 2025-26 by more than £200 million, housing providers will be able to deliver at least 8,000 properties for social and mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership."
Councillor Andy Forrest, East Lothian Council spokesperson for Housing, said: "It was really useful to welcome the Minister to Haddington this morning to discuss East Lothian's recently announced Affordable Housing Crisis and to emphasise the need for clarity as soon as possible on what our settlement will be so that we can continue to sustain our hugely important future housing programme. We welcome the announcement of more subsidy funding for affordable housing and any additional revenue for frontline services to help prevent homelessness."
