Funding for affordable housing in Findhorn

Richard Lochhead MSP, Jason Caddy, Paddy Atkinson, Housing Minister Kevin Stewart
Norette Ferns
Tuesday 27 June 2017 - 14:18

Funding from the Scottish Government's Rural Housing Fund is helping towards the cost of new affordable housing at Findhorn Ecovillage.

The grant of £130,000 will go towards the build cost of £550,000 for six new units of housing at the Ecovillage. The Ecovillage project based at The Park in Findhorn, includes over 100 ecologically designed houses and about 30 other buildings most of which have a community function.

The £25 million Rural Housing Fund and the £5 million Islands Housing Fund run from 2016 to 2019. Both funds aim to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural Scotland and contribute to the Scottish Government's 50,000 affordable homes target.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart, who visited the Findhorn Ecovillage, said:

"We recognise the challenges of developing affordable housing in rural areas, so I’m delighted that the Scottish Government was able to provide funding to this  project through the Rural Housing Fund.  The provision of these new build homes for affordable rent will make a positive impact on this community in Moray. The Rural Housing Fund is open to a range of applicants and I would encourage other community organisations or landowners to come forward with projects which can deliver affordable housing in their communities."

The Rural Housing Fund and the Islands Housing Fund have two parts:

  • a main fund that offers capital support (grants and loans) for direct provision of new affordable housing, and refurbishment of existing empty properties
  • a small fund that contributes to feasibility studies

The first homes provided through the Rural Housing Fund are now complete and you can read about the homes in the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.

These case studies provide relevant examples of past rural projects. The Scottish Government also welcome new and innovative approaches.

For more information on the funds and how to apply visit the Scottish Government website.

Photo courtesy of Hugo Klip from the Findhorn Community