Affordable housing provider Kingdom Group has secured £50 million in bank funding to develop around 500 new homes, highlighting its part in “tackling the housing emergency in Scotland”.
The organisation, which includes Kingdom Housing Association, highlighted its “ongoing commitment to building high-quality affordable homes across Fife, Perth and Kinross, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk”.
It said the funding had been provided by Royal Bank of Scotland, which is part of NatWest, and Bank of Scotland, owned by Lloyds, and would in conjunction with government grants enable the development of around 500 new homes.
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Kingdom Group added: “Renegotiating existing lending arrangements with the banks has also given Kingdom greater financial flexibility to invest in its existing housing stock. Supporting its net-zero and sustainability agenda, the planned maintenance programme means customers in older homes will over time benefit from lower energy bills and have warmer, more secure homes.”
Leigh Grubb, Kingdom Group's director of corporate services, said: “The private funding market remains incredibly supportive of Kingdom and appreciates the vital role affordable housing plays in society. We received several competitive offers from funders and decided to split the award equally between two of our existing lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds, with whom we continue to have strong relationships and who have consistently supported the sector in Scotland.
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“During the current housing emergency, our desire to keep developing new homes remains strong, even though there has been some slowdown in our programme due to government funding restrictions. This funding allows us to focus on what matters most: providing high-quality, affordable housing for our customers across the central belt.”
Bruce Davidson, relationship director at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “We understand the importance in addressing the supply of homes across the country which are fit for the future. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Kingdom and Bank of Scotland to help the business continue to deliver on its commitment to affordable housing to its customers across central Scotland.”
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Melanie Russell, relationship director for social housing at Bank of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support Kingdom Group in driving forward their mission to deliver high-quality, affordable homes across Scotland. This funding lays the groundwork for the sustainable growth of their business and more financially resilient communities. With our shared commitment to creating modern, accessible housing, we believe we can make a real difference.”
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