Published on:
05
February 2013
Close to 30 new affordable homes are to be built in Clackmannanshire, Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess confirmed today.
Contracts have been signed with Hadden Construction Ltd for the development of 28 homes inCoalsnaughton through phase 2 of the award-winning National Housing Trust initiative (NHT).
NHT was developed by the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust. It sees developers and local authorities jointly funding the purchase of newly-built homes so they can be made available for rent to households at below market rates.
Each local authority's contribution to the funding package for homes in its area is supported by a Scottish Government guarantee. These are the first NHT homes to be built in Clackmannanshire.
Mrs Burgess said: "It is my belief that everyone should live in a comfortable home which doesn't cost the earth to keep.
"A vibrant, expanding housing sector can stimulate economic growth by protecting and creating jobs and supporting regeneration.
"The innovative National Housing Trust initiative is already delivering hundreds of much-needed homes across Scotland. This deal will deliver close to 30 new homes for Clackmannanshire, secured for very little taxpayers' money.
"It is a key priority for this government to continue to maximise investment in housing though new funding models."
Scott Hadden, Chairman of Hadden Construction said:"We are delighted to be involved in this innovative housing partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and the SFT to provide much needed homes for rent and look forward to developing and successfully delivering our proposals for The Glen."
Les Sharp, Convener of Housing at Clackmannanshire Council said: "I'm delighted that we're part of the National Housing Trust programme, which demonstrates our commitment to increasing the number of houses available for affordable rent in our communities. In these challenging financial times, this initiative opens the doors to build more affordable housing in Clackmannanshire and complements our plans for new build Council Housing.
"By working with the private sector, we can tackle the chronic shortage of affordable rented housing in our area, while also giving a boost to the local economy, particularly the construction industry."
Christa Reekie, commercial director at the Scottish Futures Trust stated: "Hadden Construction is just one of a number of house-builders across Scotland that are fully embracing the commercial opportunities offered through the NHT initiative, and over the coming weeks and months we expect to sign contracts with other developers across Scotland.
"Whilst meeting the needs for affordable housing for rent, the NHT initiative, currently worth £150million, has also been designed to aid the economy and keep people in jobs by allowing developers and house builders to kick-start construction on stalled sites. This deal demonstrates the strength of bringing public and private sector developers together in a joint venture to deliver affordable housing for the benefit of local residents."