The focus this year is on sustainable housing. This is about more than low or zero carbon heating systems to address the climate emergency but also about how homes should be affordable, adaptable, built using modern methods of construction and are the right size for each household.

For those social rented housing, it is also important that they contribute to improving tenant and customer health and wellbeing.

The council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2021-2026 has already seen the provision of 314 new affordable homes across the Scottish Borders in 2020/21, 48 of which were built to wheelchair housing standard. A further 1,125 are due to be delivered over the next five years at a total estimated investment value in the region of £166m.

The council said this represents an exciting level of investment in social housing as a vital piece of infrastructure in the Scottish Borders.

Councillor Robin Tatler, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for communities and equalities, said: “I’m delighted we are recognising the value of social housing by taking part in Scottish Housing Day for another year.

“The importance of everyone having access to a safe and affordable place to call home has become more significant than ever after the pandemic.”

He added: “At SBC we are committed to playing our part to supporting local people to have access to the homes they need. In addition, the function of where and how we live is ever changing and the provision of sustainable housing presents a significant opportunity to attract more people to the Scottish Borders both as an attractive destination to live and as a great place to work.

“I am passionate that we work with our partners to deliver exceptional housing across the region and that together, we are able to offer a wide range of support and advice to tenants, homeowners, landlords and developers.”