The City of Edinburgh Council has welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement of affordable housing investment for the city but called for a review of the way funding is allocated across the country.

The Scottish Government, through the Affordable Housing Investment Programme, has allocated Edinburgh the sum of £36m, which will help the city to build 600 new affordable homes and go some way towards tackling the critical shortage of affordable housing in the city.

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Convener, welcomed the funding announcement as recognition of the argument that Edinburgh has a strong case for more investment in affordable homes.

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He said: "Across most of Scotland, there has been a reduction in funding for affordable housing this year but investment levels for Edinburgh have been protected at the same level as last year. Edinburgh has a strong case for more housing investment to tackle the shortage of affordable homes in the city and it is one I believe the Minister has listened to.

"The Council and the city's housing associations have a strong record of delivering new housing efficiently and levering in additional resources on top of the public investment made available from Government. I will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government based on this evidence that Edinburgh can use additional resources efficiently, to build even more houses in future. I am confident that the Minister understands this case."

(GK/JM)