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Scotland is going through something of a "council housing boom" with more than five times as many built in the country than in England last year, according to official figures.
In 2011, council housing building totalled 19.4 homes per 100,000 population, compared with 3.5 homes per 100,000 in England, and in total 6,800 affordable homes were delivered - well above the Scottish government's target of 6,000.
It believes that its £730 million housing investment budget for the three-year period 2012-13 to 2014-15 could generate as much as £3 billion of economic activity and support up to 8,000 jobs a year.
"We have made it a priority to support our construction sector by investing heavily in housing, helping to create jobs and stimulate economic growth," explained cabinet secretary for infrastructure and capital investment Alex Neil.
"At least two thirds of the 30,000 affordable homes delivered during this Parliament will be for social rent."
Author: Regional Correspondent Noel Foley (nfoley@acenet.co.uk or 0207 227 892)
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