Places for People (PfP) Scotland has announced a landmark partnership with Orkney Islands Council (OIC) that will see the delivery of up to 500 new homes over the next decade.

This commitment makes PfP Scotland the first national housing association to build within the islands, tackling the severe impact of Orkney's growing popularity on housing availability and price.

This initiative is a direct response to OIC's target of delivering 1,035 new homes by 2034. Around 60% of the homes delivered by PfP Scotland will be affordable, offering a mix of social rent, mid-market rent, and home ownership options across key development sites.

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Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of the Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, stated that the lack of available housing is the "biggest challenge facing Orkney," and this partnership is the result of months of decisive action. She highlighted the critical role new homes play in retaining and attracting essential workers, including young people looking to enter the housing market.

Andrew Usher, Group Managing Director for Regeneration and Development at Places for People, stressed that the partnership is about "strengthening Communities," ensuring that no one is priced out of the place they call home. PfP Scotland will combine national expertise with local insight to create housing that respects Orkney's unique environment and economy.

The substantial investment is also expected to create new opportunities for local building firms, boosting jobs, skills, and the construction sector across the islands.