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Recent releases
The Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) continues to go from strength to strength. Members of Economy and Resources Committee (24 Nov) will hear that the successful delivery of the SHIP is likely to result in local investment of over £40m during this financial year.
The development of high quality, energy efficient homes contributes to tackling a range of socio-economic challenges and helps to provide secure, modern, efficient homes that have a positive effect on the lives of people living in the region. These include young families, those living on low incomes, the homeless or those with specialist housing needs. The economic benefits of delivering new affordable housing also positively impacts on people who gain secure employment or training opportunities in construction or who are able to access affordable, high quality homes.
A number of SHIP developments aim to bring brownfield sites back into use, regenerate empty buildings and contribute to the sustainability of town centres. Finding a productive use for derelict sites can help to address climate change by limiting urban sprawl, avoiding the loss of green space, and reducing the need for travel. Building affordable homes within walking distance of local services also enables people to live better, healthier lives and supports the Council’s net zero carbon ambitions.
Rob Davidson, Chair of Economy and Resources Committee said: ”The SHIP is a great example of close working relationships between a number of Council Services, including Housing, Planning, Homelessness and Adult Health and Social Care, which in turn collaborate with RSLs and Developers involved in the delivery of affordable housing, to ensure relevant stakeholders are able to contribute. It sets out the approach to help sustain rural communities, enabling them to retain services such as schools and shops, whilst ensuring that the local demand for affordable housing is met.
It also helps with our Climate Emergency commitment by ensuring that these new homes meet high standards of energy efficiency.”
Vice Chair, Archie Dryburgh said: “The SHIP is an extremely valuable and successful project and contributes to a number of our Council’s priorities, including: ‘Urgently respond to climate change and transition to a carbon neutral region’, ‘Protect our most vulnerable people’, ‘Provide the best start in life for all our children’ and ‘Build the local economy’.
It has been running for a number of years now and continues to be one of our most successful projects, providing housing in areas where is it most needed. As Housing Convenor and the Chair of our Housing Forum I am pleased that the partnership working we have with RSL’s and others are paying dividends in our carbon reduction and the Climate Emergency 12 point action plan.”
