Stirling Council backs priority sites to deliver affordable homes

Stirling Council has formally approved a new programme of priority sites aimed at significantly expanding the supply of affordable housing across the region, marking a major step forward in addressing acute local housing need.

The decision, tied to the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for 2026/27 to 2030/31, outlines an ambitious but achievable roadmap for delivering almost 900 new affordable homes over the next five years.

The SHIP identifies the developments expected to receive future grant funding from the Scottish Government, supplementing investment from Stirling Council and key housing partners including Forth Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association. The plan will now be submitted to the Scottish Government as part of the annual process to confirm funding allocations for priority sites.

The approval comes amid growing pressure on Stirling’s housing market, where demand for affordable homes continues to outstrip supply. Cllr Willie Ferguson, Convener of the newly established Housing Committee, emphasised the scale of the challenge and the importance of coordinated action. He noted that the council is

“aware of the acute need for additional affordable homes across the Stirling area and of how challenging it can be to successfully deliver a programme to meet that need.”

Despite these pressures, Ferguson acknowledged the SHIP was ambitious but realistic and highlighted the collaboration between the council, housing associations, and private developers.

The plan builds on the progress of previous investment cycles. Under the earlier SHIP, Stirling Council and its partners delivered hundreds of new affordable homes, contributing to regeneration efforts and improving housing quality across the region. The new programme aims to accelerate this momentum, ensuring that communities continue to benefit from modern, energy‑efficient, and accessible homes.

While the exact level of Scottish Government grant funding is yet to be confirmed, the SHIP outlines a clear pipeline of developments that could be supported once allocations are finalised. The council anticipates that nearly 900 homes can be delivered through a combination of public funding, council investment, and contributions from housing associations. This aligns with broader regional and national objectives to expand affordable housing provision, reduce homelessness, and support economic development. Affordable housing construction is expected to generate local employment opportunities, stimulate the construction sector, and contribute to long‑term community resilience.

A key feature of the SHIP is its emphasis on partnership. Stirling Council has worked closely with Forth Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association to identify viable sites and ensure that developments meet the needs of diverse communities—from rural villages to urban centres. Private developers also play a role, with several affordable housing units expected to come forward as part of larger mixed‑tenure developments. This blended approach helps ensure that affordable homes are integrated into wider community planning and benefit from shared infrastructure and amenities.

The Stirling SHIP sits within a broader landscape of housing investment across Scotland. Recent reporting on similar plans in other regions highlights a national push to expand affordable housing supply and address long‑standing shortages. For Stirling, the nearly 900 homes proposed under the new SHIP represent a substantial contribution to national targets and a continuation of the council’s long‑term strategy to improve housing outcomes. The plan also supports wider policy goals, including reducing fuel poverty through energy‑efficient construction, supporting local regeneration, and ensuring that housing provision keeps pace with demographic changes.

With the SHIP now approved locally, the next stage involves formal submission to the Scottish Government. Once funding allocations are confirmed, Stirling Council and its partners will begin progressing priority sites through planning, procurement, and construction phases. Cllr Ferguson expressed confidence that the plan will deliver meaningful benefits for residents, saying it will build on the progress made under the previous Strategic Housing Investment Plan to create high‑quality homes that meet the needs of communities across the Stirling Council area.

As Stirling prepares for the next five years, the council and its partners are positioning themselves to deliver one of the most substantial affordable housing programmes the region has seen, aiming to ensure that residents have access to secure, modern, and affordable homes well into the future.

Main Image Credit: Stirling Council 2026.