Demand for affordable housing is high in Scotland's rural areas

The move came several days after tenants' rights to buy their homes were suspended in parts of the region due to a housing shortage.

Perthshire Housing Association is to buy 23 homes from private developers to be sold through the Homestake shared equity scheme.

A further 27 homes for rent and ownership will be built in Crieff.

The 23 homes are to be built, with funding of more than �1m from regeneration agency Communities Scotland, at Kintillo, Bridge of Earn and Moyness, near Blairgowrie.

Community life

Hillcrest Housing Association received funding of more than �1.4m for new houses on Crieff's Alligan Road.

Ms Brankin said: "These new homes in Perthshire will allow people in rural areas to stay and work locally, contributing fully to the life and economy of their communities."

Perth and Kinross Council has received ministerial approval to suspend right to buy for five years, which will affect up to 600 current and future tenancies in greater Perth and Highland Perthshire.

The authority also said it was drawing up a longer-term action plan.

Meanwhile, work is under way on a development to bring 21 new affordable homes to Dundee.

Communities Scotland has invested more than �1.6m in the project, by Abertay Housing Association.

The homes, being built on a brownfield site in the city's Charleston area, are due to be completed next year.