Angus Council househunters plan to boost homes to let

Angus Council’s communities committee has approved plans to buy houses on the open market.

Housing in Angus is under significant pressure, with 3,227 applicants on the council’s waiting list.

Of the 7,776 council houses, 974 became available for let in 2013-14 and demand is high for affordable housing.

While 71 council homes were built in the last year, construction is below the required level and challenges, such as lack of available land, make it necessary for the local authority to explore other ways to increase affordable housing in Angus.

Scottish Government grant money is available for councils to buy houses on the open market, reducing the demand on other funding streams, and Angus Council will establish a scheme to manage this type of house-buying.

Scottish Government funding of £30,000 is available for each home purchased for under £100,000, and £35,000 for those costing more.

The council will prioritise ex-right to buy homes and it is proposed that the first five properties will be bought by March, with the properties being considered as new supply social housing, so that the right to buy will not apply to future tenants.