The Housing Acquisition Strategy supports the wider Strategic Housing Investment Plan which aims to deliver over 1,660 new affordable homes for council tenants by 2031.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member of Community, Housing and Islands, said: “The expansion of our Housing Acquisition Strategy means we can add even more homes to our housing stock, ensuring we use every lever possible to boost the availability of social housing in North Ayrshire.

“Every purchased property will be upgraded to meet strict modern standards and reach the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and national energy targets.”

Hill added: “This strategy allows us to maximise funding and secure excellent value for money. By purchasing existing homes, we can provide high-quality permanent housing much faster than building from scratch.”

North Ayrshire Council has delivered nearly 1,000 new homes in North Ayrshire in recent years.

The council hopes that the Housing Acquisition Strategy will help tackle pressures on the North Ayrshire Housing Register and help to reach targets laid out in the Local Housing Strategy.

The council has said that housing acquisitions will be financed via current budgets with the support from Scottish Government grants such as the Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund.