In addition to boosting affordable housing supply, the £38m for the housing budget will be used to increase funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes in a bid to meet climate change targets, the Scottish Government said.
It said that the additional funding will bring the total housing supply funding to £859m, which it said is enough to exceed its housing target of 30,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of the Scottish Parliament's current session.
“This government is using every available opportunity to boost economic growth," said Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney. "An additional £38m for housing will take our investment in new affordable housing to £830m, and will also see increased investment in housing energy efficiency to help to tackle fuel poverty and meet our carbon emission targets."
“Investing in affordable homes supports Scotland’s economy, promotes growth and maintains jobs in our construction industry," said Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
"It is estimated that this £38 million package will enhance the energy efficiency of 8,000 new and existing homes, fund 2,000 adaptations to help older and disabled people live independently, and deliver 350 new affordable homes," she said.
“The Scottish Government attaches real importance to delivering new housing, to the quality of our housing, and to what housing investment does for the economy."
The Scottish Government announced in September last year that it would invest an extra £40m in affordable housing to be spent during this financial year.
