HIE awards £100k for community housing projects in west Highland

Projects will create 32 rural affordable homes

The developments are being taken forward by the Applecross Community Company (ACC) and the Morvern Community Development Company (MCDC). Between them they’ll create 32 affordable rural homes.

ACC and MCDC are community anchor organisations that have delivered significant projects in recent years.

ACC has refurbished the local fuel station, installed community broadband, and developed a hydro-electric scheme. The group also developed three affordable homes. However, these were the area’s only affordable housing developed in 18 years and there remains a pressing need for more.

This latest project is to create a further 18 affordable homes in Applecross, along with six business units to support local businesses.

MCDC has developed a marina and a community hub in Lochaline as well as a hydro scheme and operates the local fuel station. It also developed three affordable homes. HIE’s funding will help with pre-construction costs for a further 14 houses in Lochaline to help meet local demand.

While housing is not within HIE’s remit the agency recognises the lack of affordable homes is a significant constraint to economic and population growth as well as talent attraction and retention. As such, it has been able to provide limited support for some community-led housing projects at pre-construction stages.

HIE’s head of strengthening communities in Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross Ian Philp said:

“It’s well documented that lack of housing is possibly the single biggest constraint to rural population and economic growth. That’s why we’ve been working with community groups in rural areas looking to address this. Both ACC and MCDC have initiated projects that will go a long way to tackling housing needs in their areas and strengthening the resilience of their communities. I’m delighted we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to seeing the developments take shape.”

Chair of Applecross Community Company Gordon Cameron said:

“Tackling the crisis of the lack of affordable housing in Applecross is a priority for our community. The affordable houses that are currently being designed are already three times oversubscribed. As a community, we want to offer our younger people the opportunity to stay here and thrive, if they wish to, and housing is a key driver in this respect.

“We must also attract and retain economically active people who can help sustain our vibrant community, local services and businesses while supporting the needs of our aging population. We are delighted with the contributions HIE and others have given.”

Morvern Community Development Company chair Angus Robertson said:

“Lochaline is a vibrant, growing, economically active community in West Scotland. Affordable housing is a key factor to enable a sustainable community and as such we are excited to be building 14 family homes for rent. We are extremely grateful to the financial support and encouragement from HIE in this project."