New Borders Housing Plan Could Deliver Over 1,000 Affordable Homes

More than 1,000 new 'affordable' homes could be delivered in the Scottish Borders by 2023.

Councillors will meet next week to consider a five-year Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for the area, which would see up to 1,177 'affordable' houses built.

The initiative identifies how local housing needs and priorities will be addressed, including which housing projects are anticipated to be delivered over the five years.

The 1,177 estimate is based on on assumed funding amounts and that all land and infrastructure challenges are resolved in a timely manner, as well as the construction sector having the capacity to deliver projects.


Cllr Mark Rowley said: "This is an ambitious plan, and is based on a number of assumptions, but would go a long way to meeting the housing needs of local people.

"Clearly house-building of this scale would also have a very positive impact on the local construction sector, and in turn on jobs and the wider economy, and the end result would provide local people with homes in Borders communities, enabling them to live and work locally. This would have a longer term positive impact on the local economy.

"There are without doubt some challenges to be overcome to reaching this ambitious target, not least land supply. However, there have been some recent examples where developers have partnered with registered social landlords to open up undeveloped housing sites through delivery of affordable homes prior to building homes for sale. This generates cash flow and income for the developers and reduces the risk from their perspective."

The council's Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday, 17 October.

(LM/MH)