Housing news

East Lothian Council declares Affordable Housing Emergency

At a special meeting on Tuesday 12 November, East Lothian Council agreed to declare an Affordable Housing Emergency.

Published 12th November 2024.

Plans underway for housing at former Wallyford Primary School site

East Lothian Council has lodged a Pre-Application Notice (PAN) for the masterplan to redevelop the former Wallyford Primary School. As part of the planning process, a three-month public consultation will be carried out.

Published 28th October 2024.

Changes agreed to council housing allocations policy to help with the current housing crisis

Changes have been agreed to East Lothian Council’s housing allocations policy to ease the extreme pressure on the homelessness service and provide improved outcomes for our homeless clients.

Published 10th September 2024.

New council homes handed over at Burgh Gate, Musselburgh

A total of 45 high quality new homes will help local people in housing need, following a project involving Persimmon East Scotland and East Lothian Council.

Published 19th July 2024.

Cabinet approves new Tenant Participation Strategy

A plan to ensure effective participation by East Lothian Council tenants in the services they receive for the next three years was approved at Cabinet this week.

Published 15th May 2024.

Independent Living events for homeowners and private renters

East Lothian Council housing service and Care and Repair East Lothian are inviting homeowners and private renters to information sessions on accessible housing and living independently.

Published 22nd February 2024.

Council approves 7% rent increase for council tenants

At a full meeting of East Lothian Council today (Tuesday 20 February) councillors took the decision to approve a seven per increase for council tenants for 2024/25 to maintain services in the wake of a challenging financial position.

Published 20th February 2024.

New Local Housing Strategy approved

East Lothian Council has updated its Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2024-2029 following consultation and feedback from the public, key partners and the Scottish Government on the draft strategy.

Published 30th January 2024.

More than 100 new council homes completed this year

East Lothian Council continues to deliver its extensive affordable housing programme. Since spring we have seen a number of completions throughout East Lothian, with 133 houses and flats providing much needed accommodation.

Published 18th December 2023.

Herdmanflat planning application submitted

Following three years of detailed surveys, initial design work and a three month community consultation period, an application for planning permission in principle has been submitted for the redevelopment of the Herdmanflat Hospital site in Haddington.

Published 30th November 2023.

Way forward agreed for more affordable homes in Dunbar

East Lothian Council Cabinet members approved a decision for the council to acquire 28 new council homes for social rent and to progress with proposals to deliver 36 homes for mid market rent (MMR) in the Hallhill North development in Dunbar.

Published 14th September 2023.

Consultation set to launch on new Local Housing Strategy

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet has given the go-ahead for public consultation to begin on a new Local Housing Strategy (LHS) for 2024-29.

Published 13th September 2023.

Herdmanflat Hospital site consultation responses

Following a three month public consultation, East Lothian Council has published a report on the feedback and responses received – and what changes have been made to proposals for the redevelopment of the former Herdmanflat hospital site in Haddington.

Published 18th July 2023.

ELC welcomes Housing Minister to new Haddington council homes

East Lothian Council representatives were pleased to welcome new Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP, who toured the latest development of new council houses at the Letham Mains site, Haddington.

Published 12th April 2023.

Council approves rent increase for tenants

At a full meeting of East Lothian Council today councillors approved a five per cent rent increase for council tenants for 2023/24.

Published 28th February 2023.

Construction of new council houses in Pencaitland underway

Thirty new council flats and houses are now under construction in Pencaitland, the first new council homes to be built in the village since 1985.

Published 8th February 2023.

Consultation on future development of Herdmanflat Hospital site

East Lothian Council has lodged a Pre Application Notice (PAN) for the masterplan to redevelop the former Herdmanflat Hospital in Haddington. As part of the planning process, a three month public consultation will now be carried out.

Published 10th January 2023.

Advice on dealing with condensation and mould

With winter well and truly upon us, East Lothian householders may face increased problems with mould.

Published 16th December 2022.

Cabinet agrees rent consultation for council tenants

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet met on Tuesday 8th November and agreed to launch a rent level consultation for council tenants.

Published 8th November 2022.

Fees set for short term lets licences

Members of East Lothian Council’s Cabinet agreed to set fees for short term lets licences at their meeting on Tuesday 27th.

Published 27th September 2022.

New council houses at Blindwells

Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the effects of Brexit on the labour market and supply of construction materials, East Lothian Council and its partners have delivered 283 affordable homes across the county in the past two years.

Published 16th August 2022.

Tenants in private rented homes urged to give their views

East Lothian Council is preparing a new Local Housing Strategy (LHS) which will set out how we and our partners will deliver housing and housing services in the area for the next five years (2023-28).

Published 9th August 2022.

Private sector landlord survey

East Lothian Council has launched a survey about the operation of the private rented sector and its role in meeting housing need locally.

Published 23rd June 2022.

What to do if you’re struggling with energy bills

We know many people are struggling with the rise in energy prices so East Lothian Council has produced a new leaflet listing the ways the council and various other organisations can support anyone struggling with their bills.

Published 4th May 2022.

Cabinet agrees council house allocations targets

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet has agreed allocations targets for council houses for the next year.

Published 9th March 2022.

Good progress made on housing aims despite the pandemic

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet has noted the good progress made in achieving the aims of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2018-2023, despite the challenges of COVID-19.

Published 26th January 2022.

Tenant Grant Fund to help with COVID-related rent arrears

East Lothian residents living in rented accommodation can now apply to East Lothian Council for financial help if they’ve fallen behind in their rent payments because of COVID-19.

Published 23rd December 2021.

Settlement of Afghan refugees

East Lothian Council is making progress in housing three families initially in its response to the Afghan resettlement scheme.

Published 9th November 2021.

Cabinet agrees council house allocations targets

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet has agreed allocations targets for council houses for the next year.

Published 25th May 2021.

Tenants move into new homes for veterans in Cockenzie

It’s an exciting time for a group of veterans as they begin to move into brand new properties specially created for Armed Forces personnel at Osborne Terrace, Cockenzie.

Published 3rd March 2021.

Council approves rent freeze for council tenants

At a full meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday 23rd February, councillors approved an amendment tabled by the Administration to freeze rent on council properties for the year 2021/22.

Published 23rd February 2021.

Advice to tenants & homeowners during severe weather

As the forecast is for very low temperatures over the next few days, here are a few tips for around the home - which we hope you won't need!

Published 10th February 2021.

Homes for mid-market rent in East Lothian

East Lothian Council Cabinet members have approved a decision for the council to buy a discounted home and change the tenure to mid-market rent to ensure the unit remained affordable.

Published 20th January 2021.

Awards and recognition at Tenants Panel ‘Sparkle Awards’

Council colleagues were delighted to be part of this year’s East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel (ELTRP) awards ceremony which, of course, had to be done a little differently.

Published 23rd December 2020.

Council Receives Scrutiny Gold Reaccreditation

East Lothian is the first local authority in Scotland to receive re-accreditation at gold standard for its work with council tenants.

Published 21st December 2020.

New affordable homes available across East Lothian

Affordable homes, including new council houses, have been delivered across East Lothian this year.

Published 1st December 2020.

Tenant Participation Strategy published

East Lothian’s Cabinet has agreed to publish the fifth Tenant Participation Strategy, a national legal requirement which sets out how the council, as a landlord, will engage with its tenants.

Published 10th November 2020.

Scottish Housing Day - Community Housing Officers

Today is Scottish Housing Day and we are celebrating its theme of the value of social housing

Published 16th September 2020.

Scottish Housing Day - meet our Tenancy Support Officers

Today is Scottish Housing Day and we are celebrating the value of social housing.

Published 16th September 2020.

Council seeks views on former Fa’side Lodge site proposals

East Lothian Council is seeking views on its proposal to turn the site of a former care home in Tranent into a development of new council homes.

Published 4th August 2020.

Investment in council housing

Councillors have agreed to spend more than £174 million over the next five years on building new council housing and modernising existing stock.

Published 25th February 2020.

Meet Amy!

Amy’s been with the council since September working on the My Place project. Part of this innovative project involves housing care experienced young people with peer flatmates.

Published 27th November 2019.

Meet Gary!

Gary is a Community Housing Officer in the Tranent office and has been in the job for 11 years.

Published 30th October 2019.

Tackling homelessness remains a challenge in East Lothian

East Lothian Council Cabinet members heard at their meeting on Tuesday that tackling homelessness remains a serious challenge due to Scottish Government funding falling far short of the bid for monies

Published 11th September 2019.

East Lothian school pupils to help choose name for East Lothian's new town

East Lothian primary and secondary school pupils have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to help choose the name for the county's first ever new town.

Published 6th September 2019.

Minister for Veterans visits new development for ex service personnel

Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, Graeme Dey MSP, has visited a development for disabled veterans being built at Osborne Terrace, Cockenzie.

Published 6th August 2019.

Work well underway on new affordable homes at Letham Mains, Haddington

Work at one of the gateways into Haddington, Letham Mains, is well underway with a number of developers on site at various stages of construction to deliver 800 new homes and a new primary school.

Published 20th June 2019.

Innovative Peer Flatmate scheme gets the go-ahead

East Lothian Council has been awarded £307,000 funding to develop an innovative Peer Flatmate Scheme aimed at improving options for care-experienced young people by pairing them up with local students

Published 2nd April 2019.

Major mixed-use development at Old Craighall gets planning permission

Planning permission in principle has been granted for a mixed use development at Old Craighall, Musselburgh.

Published 26th March 2019.

New Housing Allocations Policy agreed by Cabinet

East Lothian Council's Cabinet has approved a new Housing Allocations Policy.

Published 12th March 2019.

Second national award for apprentice Alan

Great news for apprentice joiner Alan Smith who scooped the award for best Second Year Trade apprentice in the national APSE Scottish Building and Housing Apprentice of the Year 2019 Awards.

Published 5th March 2019.

£171 million to be spent on council homes

East Lothian Councillors today (Tuesday) agreed to spend more than £171 million over the next five years on building new council housing and modernising existing stock.

Published 12th February 2019.

Draft plan approved to address homelessness challenges in East Lothian

East Lothian Council is requesting £7million from the Scottish Government in a bid to address significant homelessness challenges across the county.

Published 22nd January 2019.