Falkirk Council has approved a £253 million investment in its housing services over the next five years. This significant investment will focus on improving the quality of existing homes and increasing the supply of affordable housing across the area.

£182 million will be allocated to upgrading existing council homes, including improvements such as new kitchens, bathrooms, and energy-efficient measures like new heating systems and windows.

The remaining £71 million will be invested in expanding the council's housing stock. This includes the delivery of 258 new council homes over the next four years, comprising 137 homes at the former Denny High School site and 10 homes in Grangemouth. The Council will also purchase approximately 45 ex-local authority homes each year through its Buy Back Scheme.

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Council rents will increase by 9.5% from 1st April, an average of £7.47 per week, resulting in an average weekly rent of £86.14. However, more than half of all tenants on the lowest incomes will be fully protected from any rent increase due to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit protection.

"This ambitious £253 million investment reaffirms our commitment to providing high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable homes for our residents," said Councillor Gary Bouse, spokesperson for Housing & Communities. "Over the next five years, we will continue to improve existing properties, increase our housing supply, and enhance energy efficiency across our communities."

The Council highlighted that it had the fifth-lowest council house rents and the fourth-highest level of repairs and improvement expenditure in Scotland in 2023/24.

This investment plan aims to deliver high-quality housing, enhance tenant satisfaction, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the council's housing services.