Edinburgh Approves £207m Housing Investment Programme
Edinburgh councillors have approved more than £207m of housing investment for 2026/27, covering new affordable homes, high-rise improvements, empty homes, repairs, and estate upgrades across the city.
The programme is the first year of a wider £1.3bn five-year housing plan, which the council says is aimed at improving existing homes and increasing the supply of settled accommodation.
What Has Been Approved?
The Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee approved the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account capital programme on Monday 1 June.
The programme includes funding for both new homes and upgrades to existing council housing. According to the City of Edinburgh Council, it forms part of the wider Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy running from 2026/27 to 2035/36.
The headline figure is more than £207m for the current financial year.
That includes:
- More than £111m for housebuilding in 2026/27
- Funding linked to around 4,275 new affordable homes over five years
- £18.3m to acquire homes from private developers
- £2.5m to bring empty homes back into lettable condition
- Almost £70m for high-rise block improvements
- £45m for investment in low-rise estates
Where New Housing Work Is Planned
Several major housing sites are included in the programme.
The council says work being progressed includes designs for replacement homes at Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court, along with new developments at:
- Murrayburn
- Greendykes
- Burdiehouse
- Powderhall
- Granton Waterfront
Granton remains one of the biggest long-term regeneration areas in Edinburgh, so it’s no surprise to see it named again here.
Powderhall is also worth watching, as the wider area has already seen steady redevelopment in recent years.
Existing Homes Will Also Get Funding
This isn’t only about building new homes.
A large part of the approved programme is aimed at improving homes people already live in. Almost £70m has been allocated for work across the city’s high-rise blocks, including refurbishment, fire safety improvements, retrofit work, and window replacements.
The low-rise estate budget is also sizeable, with £45m set aside for upgrades such as kitchens, bathrooms, windows, repairs, and energy efficiency work.
That matters because Edinburgh’s housing problem isn’t just about supply. Condition, heating costs, accessibility, and long-term maintenance all play into the pressure residents feel.
Why This Matters
Edinburgh declared a housing emergency in 2023, becoming the first city in Scotland to do so.
Since then, rising rents, population growth, homelessness pressure, and a shortage of affordable homes have kept housing near the top of the city’s political agenda.
A £207m annual programme won’t fix that on its own, but it does show where the council is putting money first: new homes, bringing empty properties back into use, and upgrading older stock.
The council’s longer-term plan is to deliver more settled homes over five years through a total £1.3bn investment programme.
Council Response
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said the programme shows the council’s commitment to tackling the housing emergency.
He said Edinburgh still faces major challenges around housing shortages, the cost of living, and a rising population, but added that investment in new and existing homes is part of the response.
Our Take
This is one of those council stories that can sound dry at first glance, but the numbers are large enough to matter.
The key detail is the split between new building and existing-home repairs. Edinburgh badly needs more affordable homes, but it also needs older council housing kept in decent condition.
The real test will be delivery: how quickly homes are built, how many empty properties are brought back, and whether residents in high-rise and low-rise estates see the improvements promised.
Source
City of Edinburgh Council
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14415/programme-for-first-year-of-multi-million-housing-investment-approved