Funding for housing, farming and agricultural businesses.
Plans to develop a Rural and Island Housing Grant Scheme, with an
indicative budget of up to £20 million over four years, have been
announced by the First Minister.
Designed to help with costs in rural and island communities, the
scheme will enable people, including first-time buyers and
families, to own affordable homes in the places they want to
live.
Announcing the scheme at the National Farmers Union Scotland
Conference, the First Minister also confirmed a package of
agricultural support including £14.25 million to deliver a second
round of the Future Farm Investment Scheme; tripling capital
funding for small producers to £1.5 million; and £1 million for
the Sea Eagle Management Scheme. In total, the draft budget will
provide £660 million in support – representing the most generous
support package in the UK.
First Minister said:
“We want to ensure people can put down roots in rural and island
Scotland or move back to the communities where they grew up, so
helping them to access a home is crucial.
“We will work with partners to develop the Rural and Island
Housing Grant Scheme, with an indicative budget of up to £20
million. It will build on our positive track record in affordable
housing – with 10% of homes being delivered in rural and island
communities – and underpin our work supporting the development of
the new housing agency, More Homes Scotland.
“It is also important for the sustainability and growth of our
agricultural businesses, and for our rural and island economies.
It will complement other measures intended to demonstrate,
through the most generous direct investment in the UK, our
commitment to working in partnership with Scotland's farmers,
crofters and land managers to deliver the support they need to
meet the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
Background
Subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, the
Rural and Island Housing Grant Scheme will have an indicative
budget of up to £20 million over four years. Development of the
Scheme will take place with rural and housing partners.
It will build on the delivery of over 12,000 affordable homes in
rural and island communities between April 2016 and March 2024,
and complement existing support for the delivery of rural and
island homes through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and
our broader support for low-cost home ownership.
It will also operate alongside the £37 million Rural and Island
Housing Fund, which was recently extended to 2028 and is open to
organisations to provide low-cost home ownership or homes for
social rent.
The Future Farm Investment Scheme provides capital support to
active farmers and crofters for the purchase of equipment to
support efficiencies, and nature and climate objectives. The
Small Producer Pilot Fund supports innovation, strengthens supply
chains, and helps small producers the improve their skills and
infrastructure. The Sea Eagle Management Scheme helps businesses
to manage and mitigate sea eagle impacts.
