Investment approved for affordable housing
Thursday, January 18 2007
Councillors at Scottish Borders Council have agreed to provide top up funding of up to £350,000 from Council Tax income towards the provision of 20 new build houses in the Hartrigge area of Jedburgh.
The Council is working with Communities Scotland and Eildon Housing to direct the funding to affordable rented properties.
It was also agreed to provide funding of up to £375,000 from Council Tax income to enable Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) to install a mains gas supply to serve the Stonefield Estate in Hawick.
The Director of Social Work, Andrew Lowe, and Finance officers will work closely with Communities Scotland, Eildon Housing and SBHA to agree how the money is directed towards each project.
Andrew Lowe said "The Council is delighted that we have been able to assist Communities Scotland and Eildon Housing in providing 20 new build houses for rent in the Hartrigge area of Jedburgh. Initiatives of this nature are a good example of how the Council Tax collected on second homes can be used to provide much needed rented and affordable housing. Clearly, Jedburgh and Hawick are in areas of high demand for social rented housing and it is very welcome that we are able to make a contribution to quality rented housing in these areas."
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