More than 1,343 new council homes will be built in Scotland this year backed by £26m from the Scottish Government.

Seventeen councils across Scotland will share the money to kick-start a new generation of council houses for rent as part of the largest council house building programme for 30 years and is expected to support 3,000 jobs.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil unveiled the latest £9m tranche of funding following £17m announced in April.

He said: "Under the previous administration, Scotland's council housing stock was left to wither on the vine. Backed by record funding, we are now working shoulder to shoulder with councils across Scotland to reverse decades of decline in council house building.

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"These are challenging times for Scotland's businesses and families. Our overriding priority is to help provide access to good quality homes that people can afford."

Councillor Harry McGuigan, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' Community Well-Being and Safety Spokesman, added: "COSLA fully welcomes this money to enable the further kick-starting of council house building in Scotland. It will help councils to build much-needed quality, affordable housing at a time when there are particular pressures on social housing and on house building."

The Minister attended the Scottish Home Awards 2009 is an independent awards programme founded to recognise excellence in the Scottish house building industry.

(GK/JM)