MORE than �4 million will be spend on building affordable homes across East Renfrewshire, it has been announced. The announcement will see all of Scotland's 32 councils, including East Renfrewshire receive a share of almost �582 million in subsidy over the next three-years from part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP).

As well as funding much needed affordable homes, the AHSP will also encourage councils and housing associations to make them greener homes by providing a larger Government subsidy for houses built to meet higher standards in areas like energy efficiency.

And rural areas, which experience higher developments costs, will also be helped with higher Government contributions to ensure that housing developments can be successfully delivered in remote parts of the country.

Scottish Housing Minister Keith Brown said: "Housing is and will remain a priority for this Government and we will continue to invest in new affordable homes. Despite the severe cuts to our budgets by the UK Government, this is a substantial funding boost that will support house building in East Renfrewshire.

"We have listened to councils and housing associations in the area and put in place a system of funding for housing based on forward planning instead of making councils and housing associations bid for funds. This will provide greater certainty and allow councils to make plans for the future.

"This funding keeps us on track to deliver more than 6000 affordable homes per year, of which 4000 will be social homes. But we must continue to work together to get the most from our resources and ensure that we deliver our vision that everyone should have a safe, warm home which they can afford. "