Funds could help tackle Borders housing emergency

Eildon Housing Association already has thousands of properties in the region

A major funding injection has been secured to help tackle the housing emergency in the Scottish Borders.

Eildon Housing Association (EHA) has received £18.7m from the Royal Bank of Scotland to build new homes.

EHA hopes the money will bring 800 new build homes to the area.

Scottish Borders Council declared a housing emergency in the region in May last year in the face of "significant challenges" in ensuring people could access properties which met their needs.

The housing association hopes to build 800 new homes in the Borders

The housing association already has more than 3,000 houses in the region.

The latest funding will support both the development of new homes and the growth of care services.

Lynn Mirley, EHA director of business support, said: "Our goal is to always provide the highest quality, affordable and sustainable properties and care possible especially amidst this housing crisis we are seeing in the Scottish Borders and beyond.

"Securing this deal with Royal Bank of Scotland allows us to help alleviate some of the pressures the current economic climate is placing upon local communities.

"It is important to us to have this sort of backing as it demonstrates the confidence in EHA's ability to continue to make a real difference in people's lives."

Martin McCourt, real estate finance relationship director at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said it was committed to supporting the housing industry in "alleviating the current strain faced by local authorities and residents caused by the housing crisis".