A FIVE-YEAR housing strategy endorsed by senior Borders councillors this week sets out a target of building 370 new homes each year.

The council’s Executive Committee has agreed its Local Housing Strategy which aims to address some of the most significant and important housing issues facing the council, its partners, and communities.

The strategy sets out the strategic framework for the future development of the local housing system, through which housing providers and partner organisations can operate, so that demands can be met more effectively with available resources.

An increased annual target of 370 new homes, including 141 affordable homes, has been set for the 2023-28 period.

The Local Housing Strategy vision states that “everyone in the Scottish Borders has access to a home that meets their needs and is part of a sustainable community”, and has been developed jointly with stakeholders.

To deliver this successfully, several key priorities have been identified to be addressed, including fuel poverty, climate change, house conditions and homelessness. The joint and strategic approach of the council and partners to delivering high quality housing to meet identified local need is also crucial to meeting this vision.

Councillor Robin Tatler, SBC’s executive member for communities and equalities, said: “This new strategy comes at an important time for housing in the Scottish Borders, and addresses a number of the most significant challenges facing the council, its partners, and our communities.

“We are increasing the annual target of new housing following the previous five-year plan and by working together with partners there are plenty of opportunities to meet the ambitious number of 370 new homes every year.

“I would like to thank residents, landlords and our partners throughout the Borders for playing a significant role in informing the development of the strategy through workshops, online consultations, and resident surveys.”

All Scottish local authorities are required to prepare a Local Housing Strategy every five years, setting out a vision for the supply, quality and availability of housing in their local area. It also sets out a range of actions the council and partners will take to make sure this vision becomes a reality.