Angus Council is to invest more than £44 million from its Affordable Housing Supply Programme to build affordable homes in the region.

The local authority’s ambitions, set out in its Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), are to deliver more than 600 new affordable homes in Angus by March 2024. Around half of these homes will be delivered directly by Angus Council and half through its housing association partners. The majority of these homes will be made available for social rent.

The investment plan has also been submitted to the Scottish Government for approval.

Communities convenor, Cllr Mark Salmond, said: “This is an ambitious investment plan, but one that with our housing partners, we are committed to delivering on. Everyone should have access to good quality, affordable housing and a place to call home. This investment will help us deliver that as well as support plans, also approved by the council today, to ensure people who experience homelessness can access settled housing as quickly as possible.

“We want people and families to feel that where they live provides much more than just a roof over their heads. We are committed to delivering good quality, safe, secure, sustainable and affordable housing within environments that meet people’s needs. That includes adapted, specialist and supported housing.

“This announcement is also great news for the construction sector in Angus, bringing the certainty that comes from knowing there will be continued investment in house building from the council and our housing association partners.”

The SHIP sets out the five year strategic investment priorities for affordable housing to deliver the vision set out in the Angus Local Housing Strategy. It ensures that Angus Council and its partners deliver housing that meets the needs of local communities. The plan demonstrates how the houses will be delivered; identifies the resources needed to deliver the priorities; and enables the involvement of key partners.