Housing

Better Homes for Edinburgh - Frequently Asked Questions

What proportion of this potential investment will be set aside for renovating existing properties to an acceptable standard or is it ring-fenced for new build?

The £2bn investment package is not simply ring-fenced for new build. It will be used to build 10,000 extra affordable homes in the next 10 years, in partnership with other housing associations, but we will also be spending a significant amount of money on our current housing, including speeding up the Kitchens and Bathrooms programme and increasing security in neighbourhoods city-wide. We will be spending £100m on neighbourhood management over 10 years and there will be a £75m scheme of assistance to help owners in mixed tenure blocks. We will keep you up to date as our plans progress.

Will CEHA build the 10,000 new homes that are being created as a result of housing transfer?

The 10,000 extra homes will be built by CEHA and other Housing Associations in the city, in partnership with the Council. Decisions have yet to be made about exactly how many of these homes will be built by CEHA.

CEHA will also demolish and replace 4,000 Council homes in our regeneration areas of North Sighthill, Royston Wardieburn, Pennywell and Leith Fort.

Whether it’s CEHA or other Housing Associations building these homes, the important thing to remember is that 10,000 new affordable homes will be built in Edinburgh as a result of housing transfer.

Where is the land to build 10,000 new houses? What about green space/amenities?

The Council has already identified substantial areas upon which new affordable housing can be built over the next 10 years. Wherever possible, unused and underused land within the city will be utilised.

Redeveloping land and maximising land that becomes available from demolition is also another option and working closely with other major landowners such as Lothian Health and the universities, to identify new opportunities, is very important.

The Council also has a planning policy, its Affordable Housing Policy, which requires that, where private house builders want to build housing for sale, they must provide a proportion of the housing as affordable housing. This can amount to up to 25% of the total number of houses being proposed. This requirement becomes a condition of the house builders' planning consent - in other words, planning permission is not granted for the private housing until the level of affordable housing is agreed. There are now planning permissions for over 2,000 affordable houses on sites like the Granton and Leith Waterfronts and the former Royal Infirmary which have come through this policy.

Decisions about the release of green belt land are taken independently of the Council's work on Affordable Housing. The funding, if secured, would not in itself change policy on the green belt.

How much of the new build housing will be for rent and how much for sale?

The emphasis on the new build would be on affordable homes for rent rather than sale. In the Council's Affordable Housing Policy, the proportion for new developments is 70% rent and 30% for intermediate tenure, including mid-market rent and low costs homes for sale.

The proportion of new build as a result of redeveloping the regeneration areas will be decided upon through discussions on local priorities.

What about the quality of the new houses? They need to last.

Building control standards determine the quality of new homes, and the new build would obviously need to comply with these regulations. In addition, the Council has new build design standards in place which Housing Associations and private developers are encouraged to meet. The new organisation would be required to meet these standards too, to ensure that the new homes are of a high enough quality for 21 st Century living, and that they are built to last. The Council also now administers the public subsidy (Housing Association Grant) to all RSLs building or improving homes, and through the grant approval process will be able to ensure high quality standards are maintained in future new buildings.

Will the new homes being built be suitable for people with disabilities?

Yes. We’re keen to ensure that these extra affordable homes are fit for the 21st Century – this means that they will be designed to meet a range of different needs and lifestyles.

What is low cost home ownership? Who could benefit?

Low cost home ownership is being able to purchase a home at less than market value and that is deemed affordable to those on lower incomes. Obviously this would benefit those on a lower income, but this would also benefit key workers such as nurses.

What about shared ownership? Will this be available?

Shared ownership is a form of tenure where the resident owns part of the home and rents the remainder. With shared ownership, the resident usually buys 25%, 50% or 75% of the property. They then have the opportunity to increase the proportion they own over time or to continue to rent the remaining % from the Housing Association.

It is likely that there will be the option for shared ownership in some of the new build, to enable people to get a foot on the property ladder. However, details of this are not yet confirmed.