Fife Council has approved a £151 million plan to build 1,250 new houses to help deal with record homelessness levels in the region.
Around 2,100 Fife households are regarded as homeless, 10% more than a year ago.
And a further 16,000 families are on a waiting list to be allocated new homes.
However, the proposal agreed by councillors will lead to hundreds of new council and housing association houses across Fife over the next five years.
Head of housing John Mills said officers were targeting possible town centre sites in all areas of Fife.
These include:
- The fire-hit Poundstretcher site in Leven High Street
- Methil High Street
- Glenrothes town centre
- A former housing office in Dunfermline.
The new houses make up the fourth phase of the council’s ambitious affordable housing programme.
It has delivered 7,400 new homes since 2012, making it one of the biggest local authority housebuilding projects in Scotland,
New houses will help alleviate homeless crisis
Fife’s homelessness situation was last year described as dire, with families waiting up to nine months for suitable housing.
Mr Mills said the new multi-million-pound programme would go some way to alleviating the crisis.
It includes a mix of property types, 30% of which will cater for people with specific needs.
However, three-storey blocks of two-bedroom flats will also be built for single people and couples.
Mr Mills said 70% of people on the housing list were single.
Fife Council committed to building affordable homes
Housing spokesperson, Labour councillor Judy Hamilton, said she was proud of the ongoing work.
She said: “Good quality, affordable, sustainable housing is something everyone has a right to and our affordable housing programme shows our commitment to providing that.
“I’m delighted to announce this next phase in our ambitious programme.
“I am very proud that in these challenging times we remain committed to housebuilding for the future.”
Buying back council houses
The approval for additional funding means Fife Council has invested more than half a billion pounds in new affordable homes to date.
And councillors have also approved a further £10.5m in borrowing to allow it to buy back former council houses.
Ms Hamilton added: “We are continuing to provide new council houses against a challenging economic backdrop.
“As well as building safe and affordable homes, we are creating jobs and apprenticeships, supporting the Fife economy and the construction industry.”
Conversation