The Midlothian Local Housing Strategy 2021-26 sets out a number of outcomes to be achieved within the next five year period:

• Households have improved housing options across all tenures.
• Homeless households and those threatened with homelessness are able to access support and advice services and all unintentionally homeless households will be able to access settled accommodation.
• The condition of housing across all tenures is improved.
• The needs of households with particular needs will be addressed and all households will have equal access to housing and housing services.
• Housing in all tenures will be more energy efficient and fewer households will live in, or be at risk of, fuel poverty.

The strategy contains 53 different actions to help fulfil these outcomes. Actions include the construction of 1,000 new council homes, reducing the time taken for homeless households to secure a permanent housing outcome, developing 484 units of specialist housing over a five-year period and targeting energy efficiency advice at households most at risk of fuel poverty.

Cllr Stephen Curran, cabinet member for housing, said: “All Scottish councils are required to prepare a Local Housing Strategy every five years, setting out how they will address local need and demand, and contribute to national housing priorities. The strategy has been produced following extensive consultation with the local community and I thank everyone who has contributed.

“Development work has been underway for some time to develop the Midlothian Local Housing Strategy 2021/26 which is now approved and will be implemented. I would encourage local residents to have a look at it to find out more about housing priorities for the area.”

The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) was developed following consultation with the local community and stakeholder groups. It covers all types and tenures of housing. Topics covered in the LHS include equalities, engagement and consultation, preventing and addressing homelessness, fuel poverty, energy efficiency & climate change and housing conditions.

The strategy sets out a strategic vision for the delivery of housing services in Midlothian. This vision is that all households in Midlothian will be able to access housing that is affordable and of good quality in sustainable communities.