The Strategy was produced following an extensive period of discussion with various stakeholders who have ensured that it meets legislative and regulatory requirements but also focuses on the key housing issues affecting communities across Highland.

It includes an agreement to change rules to the Highland Housing Register to give more housing points to people at risk of homelessness and those living in poor conditions.

Under the new rules, people at risk of homelessness will now get the same number of points (70) as those who are already homeless.

The council said this will help prevent people losing their homes and allow it to make properties available more quickly.

There are also changes to prioritise people living in housing that’s in poor condition, overcrowded or does not meet their medical needs.

Housing and Property Committee chair, Cllr Glynis Sinclair said: “The Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028 reflects the needs and priorities of households and communities in Highland. It emphasises our continued commitment to expand the availability of good quality affordable housing to enable people to live, work and study across the Highlands that in turn will support the local economy, connect communities, and re-populate rural areas.

“The council and the new strategy 2023-2028 are ambitious and proactive in their thinking on how to deliver new homes, invest in existing properties and how to support households in all communities to access the housing solutions to best meet their needs.”

The Local Housing Strategy, complements the council’s approved ‘Future Highlands-Health and Prosperity Strategic Partnership Plan’ and the main actions to achieve successful outcomes are:

• Improving the scale and effectiveness of housing land supply.
• Enabling rural and community-based housing developments.
• Developing innovative housing delivery models.
• Addressing infrastructure and construction sector constraints.
• Bringing empty property back into use.
• Improving joint planning, commissioning and partnership delivery processes across housing, health, and social care partners.
• Understanding the need for specialist housing and support.
• Enhancing housing, health, and care sector capacity to support independence at home.
• Embedding digital solutions across all client groups.
• Improving the availability of accessible homes across all tenure.

Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee chair, Cllr David Fraser said: “People’s health and wellbeing can significantly improve when living in a connected community and a safe environment that meets their specific needs.

“Investing in housing solutions which enables everyone in Highland the opportunity to prosper and live independently is fundamental to the successful delivery of the Local Housing Strategy.”

The Local Housing Strategy will be presented to the Scottish Government as part of the peer review process undertaken to verify all local housing strategies.