Fife invests almost £390 million in council houses

Fife Council is investing almost £390 million in council housing over the next three years.

The money will improve and maintain existing council houses as well as delivering new affordable housing across the Kingdom.

Housing spokesperson Cllr Judy Hamilton commented: “Safer, warmer housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of our communities and we are proud to announce very substantial investment in council housing over the next three years.

“This is against a backdrop of real financial challenges facing the public sector and we will be carefully monitoring the impact on our housing budget over the coming months.”

The council is spending over £164 million on maintaining and upgrading existing houses which will include:

• modernising and improving estates for local residents and the wider community
• structural repairs
• replacing roofs and roughcasting
• replacing kitchens, bathrooms and boilers
• improving energy efficiency to reduce fuel poverty
• improvements to sheltered housing
• improving standards at all Gypsy Traveller sites
• safety improvements including upgrading fire doors and replacing lift systems in high rises

An extensive project is also underway at Swan and Memorial Courts, Methil to remove and replace external wall insulation, modernise internal fire safety measures, and upgrade heating, kitchens and bathrooms within the flats.

Investment of almost £9 million will fund the purchase and refurbishment of around 68 properties this year.

And over £216 million is continuing to fund the council’s affordable housing programme which is estimated will result in nearly 1,000 new council houses available across the Kingdom by 2027.

The council is continuing to monitor the challenging financial situation and particular pressures on the housing budget. Rent options will be considered by councillors before the end of the year.

Added Cllr Hamilton: “We’re continuing to invest in our priorities of home improvements, new council houses and energy efficiency.

“We have a house building programme to be proud of, involving our own Building Services and local companies in partnership with the Scottish Government, housing associations and private developers - to build not only houses, but to create jobs and apprenticeships and support our Fife economy. This is very good news in these challenging times.”