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Housing Infrastructure Fund

As part of the Housing to 2040 strategy Scottish Ministers have approved the continuation of the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) in the current Parliamentary period.   

HIF was originally launched in 2016 with the first round ending in March 2021

HIF has currently invested nearly £50 million in loan and grant across urban and rural areas to fund infrastructure that will help unlock delivery of over 12,600 homes, of which approximately 3,600 will be affordable.

We anticipate a similar level of funding investment to the end of this parliamentary period in March 2026.

The continuation of HIF provides an opportunity to build on the successes and lessons learned to date and ensure there remains infrastructure support to unlock affordable housing, deliver on the core aims of Housing to 2040 and support the target of 110,000 affordable houses by 2032.

Principles applying to HIF projects

HIF helps key strategic housing projects which have been blocked or unable to proceed due to the extent and costs/financing of infrastructure works involved. This will be the key eligibility criteria for supporting projects.

Focus on grant support

The focus of the new HIF programme will include providing registered social landlords (RSLs) and local authorities (LAs) with grant support for the unlocking of sites where the scale and nature of infrastructure costs would prevent it from being supported through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) and will deliver affordable homes in line with LA strategic priorities as stated in their Strategic Housing Development Plans (SHIPs).

HIF loan funding paused

Loan funding is currently paused due to budgetary constraints. This will mean that loans to deliver housing infrastructure (at commercial rates) will not be available to private sector developers. 

Loan funding options through HIF will be kept under review as the new round begins to deliver funding to support infrastructure investment.

In the meantime developers or landowners can contact the Scottish National Investment Bank to discuss whether commercial finance might be available from the bank to support their infrastructure investment requirements. The bank invests in pursuit of its missions in accordance with its published investment strategy.

How to apply for funding

HIF Awards (Round 2)

Information on projects awarded HIF funding will be added to this section.

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