Mr Chisholm wants people to support the stock transfer

The funding from Communities Scotland, the Scottish Executive's regeneration agency, will enable 235 homes to be built for rent or low-cost ownership.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm announced the investment and urged council tenants to vote in favour of stock transfer later this year.

Last year the government announced a �21.5bn programme to provide 21,500 new homes across Scotland by 2008.

Mr Chisholm was speaking on a visit to the �5m affordable housing development by Williamsburgh Housing Association in Johnstone, which will benefit from the funding.

'Decent homes'

He said: "This will make a huge difference for hundreds of people and their families in Renfrewshire to get decent homes they can afford.

"A lot of progress has been made. However, there is much more we can do - and now will do as a result of this record executive investment.

"But there is a golden opportunity later this year for Renfrewshire Council tenants to add considerably to this.

He said that supporting the for stock transfer would result in the Treasury writing off debt.

This would allow higher investment, stable rents, more control and better services, the minister said.