A project that will create an affordable housing scheme for disabled veterans in Edinburgh is to receive a £250,000 funding boost. The scheme, which has been championed by the Lord Provost, will deliver five accessible homes in Salvesen.
The project, proposed by the Scottish Veterans Garden City Association (SVGCA), had faced a financial shortfall but councillors agreed yesterday to provide the funding from the Council Tax Discount Fund, which is ring fenced to support affordable housing.
The accommodation will now be built in Salvesen Gardens at an estimated cost of £800,000.
Edinburgh Veterans Champion, Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “I am committed to supporting veterans, and we signed the Edinburgh Armed Forces Community Covenant, which encourages integration between local communities and the Armed Forces communities, in 2012.
“A lot of work to address the city’s shortage of affordable housing is ongoing, and we have introduced changes to our lettings policy for Council homes to recognise the special difficulties that veterans are facing in particular.
“The length of time ex-service personnel have served is now taken into account when they are applying for Council homes, and work with the Edinburgh Garrison to provide housing advice and information to personnel before they leave the armed services.”
Several projects aimed at addressing a shortage in affordable housing are currently taking place in Edinburgh, and the Council delivered more than 1,200 quality, low-cost places to live in 2013/14.
Working with housing associations and house builders, the city council has invested £142m of public and private funding in house building over the past year, generating £107m for the local economy, and support for more than 1,900 jobs.