£100 Million Housing Investment Approved for West Lothian Over 3 Years

West Lothian will spend £100 million on housing. The plan spans three years, focusing on social housing improvements. The council approved this large investment, which will be partly funded by a £3 weekly rent increase.

The housing plan includes both new construction and the buy-back of existing homes, totaling £17 million. An additional £33 million will be allocated to improve current council houses, with the plans finalized at Monday’s meeting where councillors all agreed.

The plan aims to create 150 new council houses through new builds and buy-backs. It also involves acquiring existing properties to give the council more housing stock. In total, 427 new houses will be added over three years.

Approximately £33 million ensures housing quality meets Scottish standards. This includes energy efficiency upgrades, replacement of central heating systems, and electrical repairs and testing. There will also be upgrades to external wall insulation.

Fourteen projects, costing £17.9 million, involve long-term maintenance work, like replacing roofs and walls. Another £31.6 million covers further improvements, including new kitchens and bathrooms, window upgrades, painting, and new fences.

Environmental upgrades cost £638,000. These include street improvements selected with the help of tenants. These smaller projects improve local amenities with input from tenants and communities.

Councillor De Bold proposed an amendment removing “political” claims from the motion; however, it ultimately failed. Councillor Stafford defended the housing investments, noting that Scotland invested more than Wales.

Councillor Paul reaffirmed housing commitments, emphasizing the goal of high-quality, affordable housing and increased social housing. Areas with high demand will benefit most. Stuart Sommerville, a Local Democracy Reporter, provided this information, serving the public through his reporting.