Scottish Government gives £3million for new council homes in West Lothian

Dec 17 2009 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

COUNCIL housing in West Lothian is to receive a £3 million boost it has been revealed this week.

The Scottish Government has announced that the county will get an additional £3.125 million to help build another 125 homes for rent under a new scheme aimed at boosting the housing market and creating construction jobs.

The decision followed an earlier announcement that West Lothian Council would be awarded £3.73 million – securing 423 new homes for rent.

Speaking after the announcement local MSP Angela Constance said: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to build more houses for rent and the number of new homes is at a highest in a generation.

“It is good to know that West Lothian and Scotland are moving in the right direction and we are beginning to seriously reverse the years of neglect when virtually no council houses were being built.

“Not a week goes by without families contacting me who are in need of affordable accommodation to rent.

“Building more houses is crucial to rebuilding our communities.”

Almost £50 million has been awarded across Scotland this year to build 2300 new homes and support an estimated 3000 jobs.

Official figures now show that the number of housing association and local authority homes completed in Scotland is at its highest level for more than a decade.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: “I have been heartened by the manner in which local authorities across the country have worked with this Government to reverse decades of decline in council house building.

“Increasing council house building will add to the record number of affordable homes being built across Scotland this year.

“This in turn helps keep the Scottish economy moving by safeguarding jobs and supporting the construction industry.”