Important: Cookie Policy

We use cookies to help keep our site relevant and easy to use. To help us do this we need your permission to use cookies. Read more...

EU legislation requires that all websites clearly specify if cookies are being used and their purpose. For more information on the cookies we use view our privacy policy.

South Ayrshire Council use Google Analytics which uses cookies to anonymously track activity on our site. We use this information to keep our site relevant and to make it easier to use. We have already set a cookie that is essential to the sites operation.

If you accept the use of cookies on this website you will no longer see this message. We will also place a preference cookie and Google will place temporary session cookies on your computer.

Should you later, manually delete the preference cookie then you will need to re-confirm your preference when you next visit this website.

Yes, I accept the use of cookies

Housing

Low Cost Home Ownership Opportunities

Communities Scotland co-ordinates the award of a grant called GRO-grant, which is available to private housing developers, housing trusts (not registered housing associations) and building societies to contribute towards the cost of providing houses for owner occupation. The housing for sale provided by such a grant may be new build or provided following the renovation of existing buildings.

There are three types of projects, which Communities Scotland may be prepared to support:

  • Projects which contribute to tenure diversification by introducing or increasing owner occupation in priority housing estates of neighbourhoods as part of an area-based regeneration programme.
  • Projects which contribute to regeneration programmes in older urban neighbourhoods, particularly where these are characterised by a limited supply of good quality houses owner occupation or by limitations in the range of available house sizes and types relative to demand.
  • Projects which contribute to the provision of housing for owner occupation at affordable prices in pressured market areas (usually in rural locations) where the supply of such housing is limited in quality, or access for lower income households wishing to become occupiers which is constrained by market forces.

Grants are limited to the minimum necessary to secure the success of the project. The internal rate of return to the developer must fall between 8 to 12%. Grants of up to 40% of the total project costs are available, although the overall average grant approved is about 25%. Each project is appraised by Communities Scotland on its own merits.

The grants may be conditional on priority being given to Council or Housing Association tenants or those on their waiting lists, those on low income and first time buyers. Completed properties are generally advertised for sale by the developer, but information may also be available from the Communities Scotland Regional Office.

A comprehensive information pack is available from:

Communities Scotland
52/66 Newmarket Street
AYR
KA7 1LR
Tel 01292 611810
Fax: 01292 269095

Telephone: 0131 313 0044
Fax: 0131 479 5270
Website www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk

No response is given to page feedback. To protect your privacy, do not include contact information in your page feedback. Contact Customer Services directly for general enquiries.

Can't find what you are looking for?

Try our A to Z of services, FAQ or search the website.