The City of Edinburgh Council is set to acquire a further 38 homes from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for £6.65 million, as part of its ongoing phased purchase of properties on the Dreghorn Estate in Colinton.

This move is part of the council's broader strategy to urgently address the housing emergency in the capital.

The proposal has been warmly received by the families currently residing in these properties, who had previously been informed by the MOD that they might need to vacate their homes after the summer.

Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, commented: "We're doing everything we can to make sure these residents will remain in their homes and to increase the amount of affordable and social housing we have in the city - and I know the residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors. Purchasing these homes is a sensible way to boost the housing we have, and Dreghorn is a community that provides a great place for council tenants to have a suitable, safe and affordable place to call home."

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Councillor Watt added that council colleagues have worked for many months to negotiate this purchase, actively listening to the concerns of Dreghorn residents and ensuring good value for the council. She described it as "a huge step towards a positive outcome - a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency."

The proposed funding for the purchase includes £3.289 million from the Scottish Government's National Acquisition Fund, delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. The remaining balance is intended to be financed through rental income and prudential borrowing over a 30-year period. A final decision regarding the financing will be made at a future full council meeting.