Housing budget 2020/21 supports green goals

03 March 2020

Aberdeen City Council today unanimously approved Housing Revenue Account budget that will bring major investment in existing stock and a commitment to delivering Gold Standard new homes.

The approved spending plan represents a capital investment of nearly £70 million for 2020/21 – providing nearly £250 million over the next five years in the existing housing and new build programme.

The Council committed to upgrading the housing estate – nearly 22,000 properties in all – and enhancing the community facilities that knit homes together.

Spending priorities include:

£198,000 on cavity wall and loft insulation to help reduce heat loss and tackle fuel poverty; £7.7 million on heating systems replacement, installing combined Heat and Power where feasible to provide more carbon friendly systems; £1.3 million the creation of Combined Heat and Power Plants tackling both fuel poverty and ensuring we reduce our carbon footprint; £420,000 on energy efficient measures in extra care housing; £1.2 million on solid wall insulation to help reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency within our tenants homes; £500,000 on refurbishment of properties and environmental improvements.

The Housing Revenue Account budget is funded by the income from Council house rents and associated fees and charges, and as part of the 2020/21 budget rents will rise by 4%.

Housing spokesperson Councillor Sandra Macdonald said: "The 4% rent increase ensures that today’s budget includes significant investment in our existing stock to improve healthy homes with £5 million of investment. This is on top of the £22 million of repairs and maintenance in our stock."

Between sites at Manor Walk and Smithfield, the Council has recently delivered nearly 200 new homes.

Work is under way on 369 homes at Summerhill and 283 at Wellheads in Dyce. We propose creating hundreds of new homes on sites at Craighill, Kincorth and Tillydrone, and progressing plans for two areas of land at Greenferns, with 350 homes earmarked for one of those sites.

Councillor Macdonald said: "These homes will support the physical and mental wellbeing of our tenants by satisfying their current and future needs, helping them become more self-sufficient and independent in the long term, benefiting everyone.

"Quality homes are essential if we are to help improve living standards and are central to our continuing economic success. In addition, our investment reaffirms our sound environmental stewardship."