Funding to tackle local housing issues

Nationwide, the world’s largest building society, has announced that applications for its 2021 Community Grants Programme are now open.

The new Local Development Plan for the Cairngorms National Park includes an increase in affordable housing requirements for new developments.

Legislation which will help cut emissions, reduce fuel poverty and create green jobs by accelerating the deployment of heat networks has been passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament.

Crofters in some of Scotland’s most remote and marginal communities will benefit from grants to improve their housing or build new homes.

The Croft House Grant scheme aims to retain and attract people to rural communities while allowing them to achieve the full potential of crofts and generate economic activity.

A project which helps people struggling to heat their homes has become the first to receive a share of a £7 million fund to tackle fuel poverty this winter.

A five-year programme to fund affordable housing projects in rural and island communities is being extended, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has told Parliament.

The Rural and Islands Housing Funds, worth up to £30 million, were launched in 2016 and will now run beyond March next year.

A new £4.5 million cashback incentive to help people install renewable and energy efficiency measures in their homes has been announced by the Scottish Government.

Homeowners will be able to apply for 75% cashback up to the value of £7,500 towards the cost of a renewable heating system and a further 40% cashback up to £6,000 for energy efficiency measures.

Fuel-poor households are to benefit from a further £16 million investment to improve energy efficiency in their homes.

The money will be used to improve insulation and install energy efficient heating systems, including those using renewable technology, contributing to Scotland’s net zero targets and helping to meet a key Programme for Government commitment.

Construction work is underway on a £1.6million housing, health and economic project in Skye.

The eagerly-awaited site start in Stenscholl, Staffin by island-based James MacQueen Builders comes 21 years after the last affordable housing development opened in the north-east Skye community.

The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) has become the new owner of the former Dornoch Police Station following a successful Asset Transfer Request from Police Scotland.

The transfer which included a 5% discount from market valuation in acknowledgement of the significant community benefit that will ensue from the community ownership of the building. The acquisition was funded by the Scottish Land Fund.