Dundee could be set to launch a new council house building programme, after a report to Dundee City Council's housing, Dundee Contracts and environment services committee detailed a number of initiatives, including increasing the stock of much-needed homes for the disabled.

If councillors agree the proposals, it would also mean the first new council housing being built on any large scale for more than two decades in Dundee. The report states that 40 fully wheelchair accessible homes and 95 mainstream properties could be provided within three years.

Housing convener, councillor George Regan said: "Innovative proposals are being put forward that reflect our commitment to council housing in the city and our ongoing efforts to take action for the benefit of our tenants.

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"The provision of more disabled adapted housing will be particularly welcome because waiting lists for such properties continue to grow and that is despite our efforts to adapt suitable existing housing and encourage our partners to build properties to suit.

"We want to respond to the needs of our tenants but many of the house types that would have been suitable for adaptation are the most popular council houses and have been sold under right to buy legislation. Added to this is the fact that there is not a big turnover within existing adapted council houses to meet needs so people have to wait a long time to get a house.

"As new houses can't be built overnight and we need to respond quickly to the needs of our residents, we will look at buying, on the open market, houses which are suitable for disabled people."

City council administration leader, councillor Kevin Keenan said: "I welcome this report because it shows an innovative way of addressing the problem of a shortage of homes for disabled people."

(NS/JM)