More than £8million is due to be invested in affordable housing across Moray this year to tackle demand.
There are around 3,500 residents on the council’s housing waiting list, and it is estimated that nearly 1,200 new properties are needed over the next five years.
Funding has already been secured by the authority for priority areas in Elgin including Bilbohall, Stynie Road, the former Spynie Hospital site and the Elgin South development.
However, sites have also been identified outside the region’s largest town at Speyview in Aberlour and Bogton Road in Forres.
Senior housing officials have also confirmed that the Banff Road site in Keith is also due to be developed this year following lengthy negotiations with developers.
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The projects are part of the council’s £25million strategic housing investment plan (Ship), which is jointly funded by the authority and the Scottish Government.
Louise Laing, chairwoman of the council’s communities committee, said the blueprint would help “future proof” the supply of housing in Moray.
She said: “Using this funding, we’re also able to make advance purchases on land which means we’ve got a ready supply of land to provide future homes for our residents.
“I’m also delighted that all the properties that are part of the scheme will receive an additional £2,000 grant subsidy to ensure they are as energy efficient as they can be.”
It is estimated that 140 properties will be built by the council over the next two years.
However, surveys done by the authority estimate that 237 new homes are needed every year in the region.
Officials have pledged to continue to work with housing associations in order to meet the demand from residents.
However, concerns have been raised that some communities, such as Portknockie and Cullen, are missing out.
Graeme Davidson, the council’s housing strategy and development manager, added: “We are looking at sites in Cullen and Portknockie but didn’t think they could be brought forward this year due to various issues – land owners have to be willing to sell, for example, and developers have to be willing to take them forward.
“The Ship is reviewed every year so there is a chance that they will be part of it then.”
