Over £15m of capital investment to improve Highland housing stock

14th August 2020

Members of The Highland Council's Housing and Property Committee have agreed a one-year capital investment plan of £15.667 million to be spent improving existing housing stock - £1 million of which will be specifically to fund aids and adaptations for disabled tenants.

The money will be allocated on an area-by-area basis with local members making decisions on projects to be carried out during 2021-2022.

The programme focuses on priority projects identified by local maintenance teams through previous inspections, along with analysis of the existing local housing stock and includes measures to improve heating and energy efficiency.

Each one-year area programme will be presented to local Members for their final approval in the coming months.

The distribution of funding to each area follows criteria set by the council based on the amount and condition of existing housing stock and includes money ring fenced for aids and adaptations.

Caithness - £2.253m

Sutherland - £1.052m

Easter Ross - £2.216m

Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh - £551,000

Black Isle, Dingwall and Seaforth - £1.380m

Isle of Skye and Raasay - £548,000

Inverness - £4.786m

Nairnshire - £789,000

Lochaber - £1,490,000

Badenoch and Strathspey - £602,000

Chair of the Committee, Cllr Ben Thompson said: "It had been our intention to bring forward proposals for a new 5-year capital plan to take us up to 2026 but in view of the Covid-19 emergency, the 1-year plan agreed today means members and housing staff can have more time to work on a longer-term plan to run from 2022-2027. By deferring the five year plan we are giving ourselves extra time to analyse the impacts of Covid-19 and for more member discussions to take place around the details.

"In the meantime, I am sure local members will want to put forward priority projects and make sure their allocation of money is invested where it is needed most."

All capital housing projects scheduled for this year were suspended in March. Cllr Thompson is pleased that work has now resumed. He said: “As soon as we got the go-ahead from the Scottish Government, our current schedule of works for this year restarted in July but there is slippage to the programme due to the pandemic. We are currently focussing on external works and completing outstanding projects rather than initiating new works. Our Housing team are working closely with contractors to ensure all heightened health and safety measures are in place to protect our staff, contractors and tenants. All tenants affected by this delay have been notified and I thank everyone for their understanding."

A comprehensive report will be submitted to the September Committee detailing expenditure to date and estimated out-turns for 2020-21.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

Today : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

Today : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council Housing Investment: £84 Million Programme Faces Delays as Building Costs Rise

Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans.   A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council's Housing and Property Plans: Progress Being Made, But Costs and Contractor Shortages Remain a Problem

Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery.   A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Almost 2,500 Empty Homes in Highland: Can the Council Turn Empty Properties into Much-Needed Housing?

Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated.   A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Housing: Homelessness Reaches Record Level Despite Good Council Performance

The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council.   A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.