A staggering 10,000 homes need to be built in Perth and Kinross over the next decade.
The investment in housing is urgently required to meet population expansion in Scotland’s fastest-growing region.
It equates to enough homes to accommodate the population of Dunning or Luncarty 10 times over and will need a huge financial commitment by the council and developers.
The process will begin with a £20 million plan to create more than 600 affordable properties over the next five years.
The announcement comes as The Courier prepares to hold a public debate on the issues facing the city of Perth in the coming years.
Its expansion and the need for new schools and roads infrastructure to support such growth will be among the issues explored by a panel of local figures, including council chief executive Bernadette Malone.
It is thought restoration of city status to Perth is already attracting businesses, with 133,000 people now in its “travel to work” area.
The affordable housing plans are expected to be recommended at a meeting of the council’s housing and health committee this week.