The additional funding, which was agreed by the council’s policy and resources committee, is required to bridge the gap between the total development costs and existing funding streams for both the council’s new build programme and the Registered Social Landlord (RSL) partners’ development programmes.

The development programmes will deliver a total of 188 affordable houses, 32 of which will be provided by Aberdeenshire Council. It is anticipated that the developments in Peterhead, Stonehaven, Marykirk, Turriff, Huntly, Banff and Westhill would start during this financial year and be completed by March 2017.

It is in addition to the £1.857m previously allocated to affordable housing as part of Six Key Area Funding which will see the completion of 94 affordable units by September 2015.

An additional 540 new and affordable homes are required each year to meet housing need and demand. Aberdeenshire Council will continue to work in partnership with private developers, the Scottish Government and RSLs to increase the amount of affordable housing and reduce the time people have to wait for a house.

As well as helping to reduce the council waiting list the proposed programme will also help to support and sustain employment and apprenticeship opportunities. They will also play a key role in the physical, social and economic regeneration of places like Peterhead, Banff and Huntly.

Aberdeenshire Council’s new build programme has delivered 163 affordable houses to date with a further 169 due to be completed this year. An additional 200 homes are due to be built by March 2018.