Record levels of funding will this year be ploughed into affordable housing by the Scottish Government.

Over the next twelve months £644m will be invested in homes for rent or low cost ownership across the country.

Unveiling this year's Affordable Housing Investment Programme, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil, said the investment will support the approval of at least 6,500 new and improved properties.

He also said that the provision of affordable housing for rent in the current economic downturn would be his number one ministerial priority.

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Mr Neil said:"The Scottish Government is investing record amounts in affordable housing, more than £1.5bn over three years, despite the tightest settlement from Westminster since devolution.

"This year our planned investment is higher than ever ensuring we can deliver much needed affordable housing all the while safeguarding jobs, supporting the construction industry and keeping the economy moving."

Mr Neil said that the government is working hard to meet the chellenges amid the economic downturn.

COSLA's Community Wellbeing and Safety Spokesperson, Councillor Harry McGuigan, added: "Local government recognised the importance of accelerating funding to support the provision of affordable housing, and provided £40m over the current spending period, of which £20m is being made available in 2009-10."

The £644m includes accelerated funding of £80m, £20m of which is made possible by acceleration of local government funding agreed with COSLA.

(GK/BMcC)