Dave Thompson MSP

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has welcomed the announcement of more than a million pounds in new Scottish Government funding to help fund the construction of more than three dozen new affordable homes within his constituency.

The funds are part of the latest £55 million tranche from the Scottish Government’s Innovation and Investment Fund which helps to unlock further funding from private sources, local authorities and housing associations.

Announcing the national package this week, Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said the Scottish Government funds would be increased to more than £200 million once funds from these additional sources had been added.

Within Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, £540,000 will help to fund the construction of 12 new council houses in Dingwall and six in Ardgour; £320,000 for eight new homes in a development by Albyn Housing in Beauly and £330,000 will help finance 11 in Dingwall delivered by the Highland Housing Alliance.

In addition £70,000 has been awarded to the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust to fund a loan scheme which allows self-builders to get their projects to a stage where they can then apply for a mainstream commercial mortgage.

“Demand for suitable housing is one of the biggest issues affecting people within the Highlands and not only has the SNP Scottish Government restarted the construction of new council houses since coming to power in 2007, after local authority building was halted owing to the disastrous policies of previous Westminster governments but the SNP is funding a range of new ways to support people to rent, build or buy accommodation,” said Mr Thompson.

“There is such pent up demand for housing that this fund was hugely oversubscribed with applications from housing associations, local authorities and private individuals so I was disappointed to see no mention of an award for Lochaber Housing Association, whose AGM I spoke at earlier this month, however I hope that another tranche of funding will be announced later this year following the Finance Secretary’s Spending Review expected to be announced later this month.

Mr Thompson added: “As well as providing affordable new homes for dozens of families, this investment will also provide employment for hundreds of construction workers who would otherwise be out of work because of economic concerns beyone the control of the Scottish Government.

Note:

Awards made within Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch:

• £360,000 to The Highland Council for 12 new homes on Tulloch Avenue, Dingwall
• £180,000 to The Highland Council for six new homes in Ardgour
• £320,000 to Albyn Housing Society for eight homes in Beauly
• £330,000 to Highland Housing Alliance for 11 homes in Dingwall
• £70,000 to Highland Small Communities Housing Trust to help provide launch funding for self builders at various locations throughout the Highlands.

Further details on the national package can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/investment/innovationfund