Loans increased to encourage self-build projects in the Highlands

The Scottish Government’s £4 million Highland Self-Build Loan Fund, which launched earlier this year, is extending opportunities for people to self and custom build homes across the region.

The available loan funding has now been increased from £150,000 to £175,000 to help an even greater number of people across theHighland Council area.

The Highland Self Build Loan Fund is a Scottish Government pilot scheme which aims to rejuvenate what was once the main housing delivery model in the Highlands, and generate growth in the “self-build” sector again. Applications are being accepted by The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust (HSCHT), which is administering the scheme.

The fund will increase economic activity in the area and provide financial assistance to people who have in recent years been unable to progress with their self-build projects.

Announcing the changes to available loan funding, housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “This £4m Self-Build Loan Fund is an important opportunity to address the lending difficulties experienced by households looking to build their own homes, and explore how we can increase housing supply while allowing customers to input into the design.

“We have taken on board feedback that the £150,000 cap is too restrictive, which is why we are now increasing this cap and making loans of up to £175,000 available for people to build homes that can better suit their needs. We will continue to monitor and review the pilot over its two year lifespan.

“This loan fund is part of our More Homes Scotland approach. The government is determined to accelerate housing supply across all tenures, to support families across Scotland get on the housing ladder.”

The Highland Self Build Loan Fund is already providing loans which are allowing development to take place across the Highlands, including in smaller rural communities, where new build housing is scarce.

This will help meet the housing needs of the community, and will therefore prevent outward migration and boost local employment and skills.

Individuals and families, may have found themselves spending years trying to obtain suitable finance to help them build their own homes, many of which may have spent a considerable amount of time in unsuitable living conditions.

This new fund will help these people finally realise their dream, and allow them to move into more comfortable surroundings once they have completed their build.

CEO of HSCHT, Ronnie MacRae, said: “We are delighted to see in the upper limit increased for applications to £175,000. The Scottish Government’s Highland Self Build Loan Fund now has the potential to assist many more Highland households to build their own homes and provide the added social and economic benefits at the same time. We welcome this flexible and responsive approach and the many other new initiatives being provided by The Scottish Government. It is an exciting time for housing options in Scotland.”

For more information, or to download a brochure or application form, click HERE.