Councillors approved a report to Cabinet on Tuesday 10 March, which set out how funds raised by Council Tax from empty homes and second homes across East Lothian will be used to fund the new role, match funded by the Scottish Government for two years.

Councillor Andy Forrest, cabinet spokesperson for Housing and Property Maintenance, said: “This new officer will play a key role by identifying vacant homes and working with owners to help remove barriers to make homes available again.

“The income generated through the additional tax on empty properties and second homes can be used by local authorities to support revenue and capital expenditure relating to a range of affordable housing activity. In East Lothian this will help to address the Affordable Housing Emergency declared by this council in November 2024, as demand far outstrips supply.”

The council tax fund, along with a Scottish Government grant allocation to East Lothian of £746,000 for 2025/6, will also continue to be used to address the affordable housing emergency through investments in new build social housing, support for housing associations in modernising their stock, and purchasing both smaller homes and larger family homes to help provide permanent accommodation to allow families and single homeless applicants to move on from temporary accommodation.

The new officer role will be advertised in the next few weeks.