Social housing built in Highlands village for first time in 30 years

Social housing has been built for the first time in 30 years in a Sutherland village.

Eight new affordable homes have been built in the village of Lairg, as part of the UK and Scottish Government-funded Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.

The development has four two-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalows and four one-bedroom ‘Fit’ homes, which have technology installed to monitor residents’ health.

The properties are designed to help people with health conditions or disabilities to live independently.

Sensors fitted to doors, windows and cooking appliances can detect changes in a resident’s behaviour and share the information with their families or a carer.

Albyn Housing Society completed the £2.3m project on land that had been empty since the demolition of a hotel in 2007.

Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: “A lack of social care provision is an issue right across the country, but this is especially acute in the Highlands because of demographic changes and fewer social care workers.

“Our Fit homes mean residents can live in their own home, independently, for longer and often helps them remain in their local community too. This is such a help in rural areas like Lairg where alternative social care provision can be very far away.

“We have surpassed our promise made as part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal by delivering 33 Fit Homes, mobilising a total investment of £6.9m, which includes £3m directly from the City Region Deal.

“The incredible partnership in Lairg between the local community who donated the land, Compass who did such a fantastic job ahead of schedule, our funders, and Albyn’s Fit homes technology, has delivered a brilliant asset for the village and those living there.

“This achievement not only grants independence to our tenants but also offers their families peace of mind.

“Our development is the first social homes to be built in the area in almost 30 years which will mean fewer people are forced to move away for adequate housing. Continuing to invest in housing in very rural areas remains a top priority for Albyn.”