A number of positive steps are being undertaken in East Lothian to address the shortage of affordable housing across the county. East Lothian is one of the fastest growing local authority areas in Scotland with resulting pressures on house availability and prices.

Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services, Cllr Stuart Currie, explained; “We are already in discussions with house builders regarding the possibility of the council purchasing some new suitable sized houses directly from the builders. We are also meeting both house builders and landowners regarding the potential purchase of land for the council to build affordable houses on. If it proves impossible to acquire land for housing East Lothian Council will consider using our powers to compulsory purchase land.”

“Many people are attracted to live in East Lothian but it is proving increasingly difficult for first time buyers, younger people and families to secure housing at a reasonable cost. The council is determined to support the drive for more affordable housing using a mixture of traditional and innovative means.”

Cllr. Currie will be making a statement regarding the developments in affordable housing policy at the full East Lothian Council meeting on Tuesday 26th August followed by a paper containing the current housing situation in East Lothian and plans for the future submitted for consideration at the September meeting of the Council.