Scottish ministers have pledged their support to a west coast trust with the award of more than £777,000 for the creation of affordable homes on the island of Mull.
Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) will use the money to build family homes for social rent in Ulva Ferry.
The properties will be constructed on two different sites owned by the community and funded through the Scottish Land Fund.
It is hoped their first occupants will move in by early 2021.
The money comes from the Scottish Government’ Rural and Islands Housing fund, as part of a £30 million investment designed to increase the supply of affordable homes in rural and island areas.
It is the second time the government has pledged support to MICT, following a grant contribution of £27, 384 towards the construction of two affordable homes in the Ulva Ferry area in 2017.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart was full of praise for the trust’s efforts.
He said: “These new homes will support the future of this community and make a real and lasting difference to the lives of existing and new residents.
“The Mull and Iona Community Trust and the local community have put a substantial amount of work into getting the project to this stage, including securing other funding from a variety of sources.”
Helen MacDonald, Housing Project Officer at MICT said: “The provision of affordable housing is key to securing wider social and economic benefits for the community as a whole, and just four new houses at Ulva Ferry will ensure there are more pupils in the primary school, more working age adults to support the very local economy, and a stronger community overall.”
