The ten properties for affordable rent cost £1.6 million of which £1.06m was funded by a Scottish Government grant, £522k by Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) and £30k by the Comhairle.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “Working together we can provide the right homes in the right places which meet people’s individual needs. These ten new quality, accessible, affordable homes in Leurbost will support and strengthen the local community and are a result of the effective partnership between Hebridean Housing Partnership, the Comhairle and the Scottish Government.

“Making sure everyone has a safe, warm, affordable place to live is central to our vision for a fairer Scotland. Developments like this keep us on track to deliver our ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, backed by record investment of more than £3 billion.”

David Mackay, who won a competition to name the development prior to being completed by Calmax Construction Ltd, was in attendance at the official opening.

HHP chair Norman Macleod said: “Thank you to David for attending the official opening of Sealladh a’ Chliseim today. We are proud to see the completion of this development, particularly the specially adapted property allowing one family to stay in the area. We were pleased that the Comhairle were able to contribute the additional funding to this project allowing it to proceed.”

Kenny John MacLeod, chair of the Comhairle’s communities and housing committee, added: “The Comhairle is very pleased that this development went ahead with the additional funding. We are encouraged to see new homes in this area and like HHP, we are delighted to see a family from the area benefit from an adapted home.

“Once again, we are grateful to the Scottish Government for their assistance as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to building additional homes in rural locations.”