Elected members have approved updated plans to guide the delivery of affordable housing across Dumfries and Galloway, helping to support communities, tackle housing need and drive economic growth.
At its meeting on 9 June, the council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee agreed the latest Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which sets out how housing investment will be prioritised across the region over the coming years.
The SHIP is a key document for the council, identifying projects that can attract funding from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP), while supporting the priorities set out in the Local Housing Strategy 2025–30.
A central element of the updated plan is continued support for community-led housing, with members agreeing to include a number of locally driven projects that can now be progressed through the Rural and Islands Housing Fund.
These schemes aim to bring empty or underused buildings back into use and deliver new social rented homes tailored to local needs. This approach is particularly important for rural communities, where access to suitable and affordable housing plays a key role in retaining residents, supporting families and sustaining local services.
The report confirms that Dumfries and Galloway is expected to receive more than £94 million through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme over the next four years, with the potential to unlock more than £170 million of total investment when combined with partner funding.
As well as delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes, this investment is expected to bring wider benefits, including new job opportunities, skills development and support for local supply chains.
The development of the plan has been informed by extensive engagement with partners including housing providers, community organisations and public sector services. This collaborative approach will continue as the plan is finalised and submitted to the Scottish Government.
The update also highlights ongoing work to better understand the links between housing, health and inequality, helping to ensure future housing delivery supports improved outcomes for residents.
Alongside this, targeted work is continuing to address housing pressures in specific areas, including in Langholm, where partnership activity is focused on identifying solutions that meet local demand.
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Andy Ferguson, said:
“This updated plan sets out a clear and practical approach to delivering affordable housing across the region and makes the best use of available investment. These recommendations will strengthen how we plan, prioritise and deliver housing projects.
“Importantly, it will help create homes that meet the needs of our communities, supporting local services and making Dumfries and Galloway an attractive place to live and work.”
Vice-Chair, Councillor Tony Berretti, added:
“The continued focus on community-led housing is a real strength of this approach, enabling locally driven projects to come forward and access additional funding. It ensures that solutions reflect the needs of individual communities.
“By investing in affordable housing, we are supporting jobs, growth and more efficient housing stock,, while improving opportunities for residents across the region.”
The full committee report can be viewed at: Agenda for Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, 9th June, 2026, 10.30 am | Dumfries and Galloway Council
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