East Dunbartonshire Council has submitted a Plan to the Scottish Government to help increase the supply and quality of affordable housing in the area.

The Strategic Housing Investment Plan details how investment in affordable housing will be directed over a five-year period to meet the housing need of the diverse communities of East Dunbartonshire.

The Plan estimates that 707 new affordable homes could be delivered over the next five years at a cost of £89.495m, subject to adequate funding and planning consent.

A range of funding sources are outlined in the Plan, including 45% from Housing Association Grant, 36% from private finance raised by Housing Associations, 10% from other contributions and 2% land contribution from the Council. The remaining 7% is from buyer's mortgages for the proposed New Supply Shared Equity properties.

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Developed in partnership with Scottish Government Investment Team, Housing Associations, the Council’s Planning, Housing and Social Work Services, tenant representatives and other agencies, the Plan also aims to regenerate disadvantaged communities, prevent homelessness and promote choice of tenure.

The land supply identified in the Plan is a combination of Council-owned assets, land from demolitions in the regeneration areas and development proposals which are subject to the Planning Affordable Housing Policy.

Commenting on the new services, Councillor Michael O’Donnell, Convener of East Dunbartonshire's Social Services Committee said: "This is good news for East Dunbartonshire. The current economic downturn affects us all and this Plan provides various tenure and house size options to meet the housing needs of a wide spectrum of people.

"There are also a number of potential sites that, due to funding and land restrictions, have not been incorporated into the Plan. However, the Council's Housing and Planning services are working closely with the Scottish Government to try and secure this additional land and funding to deliver even more affordable homes in the area."

The Scottish Government is expected to respond to the Council’s plans in March 2009.

(GK/JM)