Councils sign up for low rent housing

A SCHEME designed to provide 1,000 new homes for rent offered - including 600 in the Capital - has taken a step forward.

Twelve local authorities have signed up for the project, which will see the purchase of newly-built houses by councils with loans underwritten by the Scottish Government.

Six hundred homes are being sought in Edinburgh and East Lothian and Midlothian council has also signed up.

Developers have now been invited to bid for the work.

The scheme is headed by the Scottish Government and funding body Scottish Futures Trust (SFT).

Edinburgh Council's vice-convener for housing, Councillor Norman Work, said: "This is an innovative way of tackling the shortage of affordable homes."