The number of affordable homes approved in Scotland over the last year has increased by 30% to 10,612, according to the latest housing statistics.
Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson welcomed the figures, which show that the SNP Government is making good progress towards delivering its ambitious target of building 50,000 affordable homes, of which 35,000 will be for social rent, during its current five-year term.

Mr Matheson said: “Increasing the supply of affordable homes is an important way to tackle inequality in our society and, thanks to a guaranteed £33.4million investment from the Scottish Government over the next three years, Falkirk Council was able last month to approve a local housing strategy that has this at its heart.

“The latest figures also show that Scotland is building social housing at a faster rate than any other part of the UK and that the grant funding provided by the Scottish Government for each unit of affordable housing is more than double that provided by the UK Government, which underlines the SNP’s commitment to boost affordable housing.”

The number of social sector homes started in the 12 months up to the end of June 2017 was 6234 – a 32% increase on the year before. The Scottish Government offered grant funding averaging £52,400 per affordable housing unit, compared to just £25,300 in England.