One of Scotland’s leading housing associations has announced that it is planning to build up to 1,000 new homes over the next five years.

Kingdom Housing Association, based in Glenrothes, Fife, made the announcement after the association’s management committee approved the 2015 Kingdom Housing Group Corporate Plan. The plan covers Kingdom’s strategy for the next five years and is reviewed and updated annually.

Charles Milne, chairperson with Kingdom Housing Association said: “The approved plan reaffirms Kingdom’s mission to alleviate homelessness, by having ambitious targets to complete 1000 new homes in the next five years.”

Last year Kingdom completed 160 new homes and started work on another 128. Planning permission was also granted for 140 homes during this period.

Mr Milne added: “Through our wider role activities we will continue to assist those most economically disadvantaged in the communities where we operate and I am also pleased that we have been able to commit ourselves for another year to the payment of the Living Wage to our staff, despite continuing restraints on our revenue allowances.

“Kingdom employs over 350 staff and investing in our staff, through training and development, is important to us. We also try to make a positive economic contribution within our local communities and Fife Works, our employability project, is an example of how we can help tenants and residents in Fife, to build their capacity to access training and job opportunities.”

The new plan sets out the association’s financial projections, assesses the risks and challenges within the sector and identifies the measures to be introduced to mitigate and address them.

It also highlights the increased reliance on Information Technology and how development and investment in IT will help improve performance, facilitate digital inclusion and improve tenants services in the future.

Bill Banks, chief executive with Kingdom, said: “Kingdom is a financially strong housing association, with very good quality housing stock and the plan demonstrates how we will build on this strength and continue to meet the growing demands for affordable housing in the future.”

Mr Banks added: “The Corporate Plan covers our strategies in respect of new housing, landlord services, asset management and support and care. It details how we will deliver support services and highlights our priorities over the period of the plan. Our approach to enhancing tenant advice and assistance services, participation and collaborative working are also identified in the strategies to ensure we deliver on our objectives.”

The financial projections detail how Kingdom will meet its objectives, related to repairs, maintenance and future stock improvements, while keeping rents affordable and delivering value for money.

Kingdom Initiatives is the trading subsidiary of Kingdom Housing Association, where the activities undertaken complement and contribute to Kingdoms strategic objectives. The corporate plan includes the growth strategy for Kingdom Initiatives, where increased provision in Mid Market Rented tenancies are planned along with proposals for new homes and expansion of services to other customers.

Read the Summary Corporate Plan.