Glasgow council approves £674m plan for 6,500 affordable homes

Glasgow City Council has moved ahead with a £674 million plan to build thousands of affordable homes across the city, as part of its Strategic Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) for 2027 to 2032.

The confirmed programme will deliver 6,500 new homes. If additional funding becomes available, the plan could expand to deliver up to 12,000 new homes. The council has identified 59 sites across Glasgow as potential locations for a maximum of 12,173 new homes.

Of the confirmed 6,500 homes, 74% will be for social rent, 24% for mid-market rent, and 2% for New Supply Shared Equity or private sector rent. The homes will be built on brownfield land.

The plan also includes measures to help Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) acquire another 430 homes for social rent, aiming to reduce homelessness and the number of people in temporary accommodation.

Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing, development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "These are ambitious plans built on strong foundations. Glasgow has built far more affordable homes than comparator cities like Manchester or Birmingham over the last five years, and I am determined to raise the bar even further."

Kelly added: "Working in partnership with local housing associations, housebuilders and the wider housing sector we want to be clear to government that Glasgow gets things built, and if they are able to increase our housing budget, we can build and acquire even more."

The council also plans to repurpose disused shops and vacant commercial properties in the city centre into housing, with the goal of increasing the city centre population to about 40,000 people by 2035.

Glasgow declared a housing emergency in 2023. The council’s housing team has emphasised that the programme’s success and potential expansion depend on continued and increased investment from government.

Sources

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