East Lothian Council has approved its five year Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which commits to a £110m affordable housing programme during 2009-2014. The Plan was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday.

SHIPs are used to improve long-term strategic planning and show how investment priorities will be delivered for affordable housing through a range of funding streams. The East Lothian plan anticipates that 1035 affordable housing tenders will be approved over the five-year period. The Plan seeks funding of £28m from the Scottish Government for new build affordable housing. The Council’s contribution is estimated at £41m.

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Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Stuart Currie said: "Providing more affordable homes has to be a priority for this Council. East Lothian is one of the most pressured housing areas in Scotland. It’s important that we use all of the resources at our disposal to deliver more properties."

The East Lothian SHIP has been developed through the Local Housing Strategy Affordable Housing Group, which includes representatives from Registered Social Landlords, the Scottish Government, Homes for Scotland, East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel, the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) and the Rural Housing Service.

The East Lothian SHIP will now be submitted to the Scottish Government to inform its Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP).

(GK)