County sells 42 homes to raise funds for affordable housing

A DEVELOPMENT of 42 new homes is to be sold to East Lothian Housing Association to provide much-needed affordable housing in the county.

East Lothian Council has agreed to sell the houses at Baxter's Gate, Windygoul, Tranent, when they are completed this June.

This year's Housing Association Grant (HAG) budget, which is allocated by the Scottish Government, is in danger of being underspent, which would potentially limit access to further funding in years to come.

By selling the homes, the HAG will be fully used and East Lothian Council will raise vital funds to progress its affordable housing programme in future years.

Cabinet member for housing and community services, Councillor Stuart Currie, said: "Our policy is to work with our housing association partners to make best use of the Government funding that will help us to deliver new affordable housing for rent in East Lothian. Any underspend in the HAG would limit our potential to tap into this valuable fund in future years."