Wester Ross communities awarded grants to support affordable housing

Two Wester Ross communities are celebrating after being awarded grants by Crown Estate Scotland to support affordable housing and infrastructure in their areas.

Applecross Community Company has been awarded £43K to help develop 12-16 energy-efficient affordable homes and four business units; and the Communities Housing Trust has been awarded £47K for assistance with costs for architectural and designer services required for eight affordable homes in Torridon.

The Community Capacity Grants are part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Sustainable Communities Fund which, since its launch in 2020, has distributed more than £1.4m to a wide range of innovative projects across the country, including 12 affordable housing projects which have together shared in more than £400,000.

Community Capacity grants are open to all communities which are located within five miles of Scotland’s coastline, or within five miles of Crown Estate Scotland’s four rural estates, to undertake early-stage projects that contribute to local regeneration and sustainable development.

Annie Breaden, head of policy for Crown Estate Scotland, said: “This latest round of applications were of a very high standard and we at Crown Estate Scotland are excited to be supporting such important and positive projects.

“This year has seen a particular ask for assistance with providing new, sustainable homes, and improved business and community spaces. These practical ideas to help improve everyday life for thousands of people are precisely the types of projects we are keen to enable, and we look forward with great interest to see how they develop.”

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