In 2013/14, the City of Edinburgh Council said it delivered more than 1,200 quality, low-cost homes to live, compared to 411 in 2008/09. Over the last year, the Council – working alongside housing associations and house builders, has also invested £142m of public and private funding into house building. It has generated £107m for the local economy and provided support for more than 1,900 jobs. As of March 2014, the local authority said 1,000 homes are under construction at 25 sites across the capital, with 23 of these sites being brownfield.
In a report to the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee earlier this week, members were asked to note the figures, which were included in the City Housing Strategy 2012-17 Annual Review. The Strategy is a five-year plan, covering all types of housing and also identifies key priorities and challenges.
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It aims to deliver three outcomes:
• People live in a home they can afford
• People live in a warm, safe home in a well managed neighbourhood
• People can move home if they need to.
While the key priorities for the Strategy in 2014/15 are:
• Increase the number of affordable homes
• Improve the energy efficiency of homes and aim to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard
• Work with partners to support housing for veterans
• Ensuring that tenants are better connected digitally.
Housing Leader Councillor Cammy Day commented: "The fact that this has been another record year for the provision of affordable homes in Edinburgh despite the economic climate is excellent news. Residents have the right to access quality, sustainable housing in their local communities and we are working hard to make this happen.
"However, it's important that we keep up the momentum and continue to work with partner agencies to provide new housing each year. Demand for housing that people can afford to rent or buy will continue and we are committed to meeting this need, as well as supporting the local economy."
(JP/IT)
