West Lothian Council has approved its Housing Capital Investment Programme for 2025/26 to 2027/28, alongside the Housing Revenue Account Budget for the same period.

The plans aim to improve and expand the region's council housing stock while maintaining high-quality living standards for tenants.

The approved programme includes a significant £17.8 million investment in the creation and acquisition of new homes, which will see the delivery of 150 new council houses. This will bring the total number of new homes to 427 over the course of the investment period, combining both new builds and open market acquisitions where the council purchases properties to create more council housing.

An additional £33 million will be dedicated to upgrading and maintaining existing homes, ensuring they continue to meet the Scottish Quality Housing Standard (SQHS). These works will include energy efficiency improvements, central heating replacements, electrical testing and repairs, and external wall insulation upgrades.

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A further £17.9 million will fund fourteen long-term maintenance projects, focusing on essential repairs to structural elements such as roofs and external walls that are beyond repair.

The council has also allocated £31.6 million for a range of planned works, including kitchen and bathroom replacements, window and door refurbishments, and painting and fencing programmes, to enhance the overall quality of council housing.

In addition, £638,000 will be directed towards environmental improvements and external upgrades, including tenant-led street improvement projects. Though many of these projects will be on a smaller scale, they are expected to have a significant impact on local communities.

As part of the Housing Revenue Account Budget, the council has approved an annual rent increase of 3.5% from 2025/26 to 2027/28. This increase aims to sustain the ongoing investment in housing infrastructure, ensuring both the upkeep of existing homes and the creation of new affordable homes. The decision follows a consultation with tenants, the majority of whom supported the 3.5% increase. All income generated from the rent increase will be reinvested into council housing and services for tenants.