Money for affordable homes pledge

Unsold homes will be bought in Perth and Kinross and Falkirk

Scottish Government money is to be used to buy empty homes built by private firms as a way of increasing the amount of affordable accommodation available.

In total, �1.4m will be given to housing associations for the purchase of unsold private sector stock in Perth and Kinross and Falkirk.

The funding is part of a wider project aimed at helping the construction industry through the economic crisis.

Across the country, building projects are being brought forward.

'Hard-pressed'

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Scottish Government is under no illusion about the serious challenges facing Scotland's house builders.

"We are taking decisive action, within our powers, to help alleviate the brunt of the credit crunch on developers, and assist the delivery of more affordable homes.

"Housing associations will be able to buy off the shelf stock from the private sector.

"It will help the hard pressed construction industry and increase much-needed affordable housing."

Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), added: "The SFHA welcomes the news that the government has quickly assigned a second bite of the funding cherry to housing associations, which will both give the construction sector a much-needed boost and help to alleviate the desperate demand for affordable housing.

"The SFHA fought hard for it to be allocated to housing associations which are well placed to develop more quality affordable housing for Scotland."