Need of homes 'greater than ever'

New homes are under construction in other parts of the Highlands

A housing association boss has said the need for affordable properties was "greater than ever".

The housing industry has been among the hardest hit as a result of the global financial crisis.

Albyn Housing Society said it was pushing ahead with plans to build more than 180 low-cost homes in the Highlands over the next two years.

Chief executive Calum Macaulay said as well as providing new homes the project would create construction jobs.

It intends to build 120 houses and flats for rent, and 60 low-cost home ownership.

Most of the �35m cost will be funded by the Scottish Government grants and private borrowing.

ALBYN FACT FILE Invergordon-based Albyn has more than 2,000 rented and low-cost home ownership properties across the Highlands It is building homes at Culloden as part of a �3.8m development In Nethy Bridge, the society said it was building 13 "flexible, accessible, super-low energy homes" for older people

Mr Macaulay said: "The need for affordable housing is now greater than ever.

"In the short-term at least Albyn intends to maintain its contribution to meeting these needs across the Highlands and work with Highland Council to meet its target of 500 new affordable homes a year.

"As well as providing affordable, energy efficient homes for people, we are helping the construction sector by providing jobs in house building and the associated industries."

Last week, a �9m package of funding was brought forward by the Scottish Government to try to help house builders fight the credit crunch.

Part of the money will help start six projects in Moray, Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll, the Borders and Fife.

The remainder will allow housing associations to purchase land in Highland, Midlothian, Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire.

Last month MSPs were told the sector could face 30,000 job losses this year.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version