Housing Market Partnership
Quarterly Update – March 2026
Andrew Hamilton
Service Manager (Resources)
Education, Communities and Housing
IMAGE: Cover slide for the Housing Market Partnership Quarterly Update – March 2026, presented by Andrew Hamilton, Service Manager (Resources), Education, Communities and Housing.
The Local Housing Strategy
- More Homes
- Quality Warm Homes
- Access and Choice of Housing for All
- Monitoring and Review
IMAGE: A house-shaped strategy diagram presents “More Homes” as the roof, “Quality Warm Homes” and “Access and Choice of Housing for All” as the two main sections, and “Monitoring and Review” as the foundation.
Strategic Housing Investment Plan
SHIP Sites – Years 1-5
| Site | Housing Market Area | Landlord |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Living | Kirkwall | OIC |
| Coplands Road | Stromness | OIC |
| Walliwall Ph 10 | Kirkwall | OHAL |
| Toab | East Mainland and Linked South Isles | OHAL |
| Graeme Park, Holm | East Mainland and Linked South Isles | OHAL |
| Burray | East Mainland and Linked South Isles | OHAL |
| Papdale Halls demolition | Kirkwall | OIC |
| Burnmouth Road | Kirkwall | OIC/OBs |
| Dounby | West Mainland | OIC |
| Houton | West Mainland | OIC |
| Orphir | West Mainland | OIC |
| Weyland Ph 1 | Kirkwall | PfP |
| Former Papdale Halls | Kirkwall | PfP |
| Various | The Isles | Development Trusts |
| Grainbank Ph 1* | Kirkwall | OHAL |
| Weyland Ph 2 | Kirkwall | PfP |
| Midgarth | Stromness | OHAL |
*Note: The Grainbank OHAL development is dependent on land assembly of Soulisquoy taking place.
IMAGE: The Strategic Housing Investment Plan table lists housing sites, their housing market areas and landlords; a bracket highlights sites being worked on now at various stages.
More Homes - Achievements
Overall Progress
- Very positive progress towards 103 each year target (60/40 affordable/private)
- First time projected overspend Orkney’s Scottish Government Resource Planning Assumption (RPA) in 10 years
- RPA - £4.068M. Projected 2025/26 spend £6.56M. Overspend of £2.5M
- Pipeline for next few years also looking very positive
IMAGE: Slide headed “More Homes - Achievements” with an “Overall Progress” section listing progress towards the annual target, the projected RPA overspend and the positive future pipeline.
Orkney Islands Council
- Walliwall 9a – 6 units for social rent - nearing completion
- Cairston Road, Stromness – 8 family homes for social rent - nearing completion
- Moar Drive (4 persons), Copland’s Road (25 units), former Papdale Halls demolition
- Various ‘off the shelf’ acquisitions
- Early work on West Mainland sites
- Houton – SSEN/OIC initiative to service site for eventual permanent housing
- St Rognvald’s house repurposing for agency staff accommodation due to go to Policy and Resources Committee in April
IMAGE: Slide listing Orkney Islands Council achievements under the “More Homes” programme, including housing developments, acquisitions, site preparation and proposed repurposing of St Rognvald’s house.
Orkney Housing Association Ltd
- Walliwall 9a – 8 shared equity – complete
- Walliwall 10 – 41 units approved for mixed tenure – phased completion to 2027/28
- Various ‘off the shelf’ acquisitions
Development Trusts
- Since 2019 Isles Development Trusts have completed 14 affordable units across seven islands
- Five development trust projects currently on site across North Ronaldsay, Westray, Eday, Rousay and Shapinsay, providing nine additional homes for island communities
IMAGE: Slide summarising Orkney Housing Association Ltd and Development Trusts achievements, including completed and planned units and projects across Orkney’s islands.
Places for People Scotland
- Early work on due diligence on former Papdale Halls and Weyland sites
Other Work
- Short term lets – working group established to consider policies for short term let management through Local Development Plan.
- Modular Build work through UHI Orkney
IMAGE: Slide listing early due diligence work by Places for People Scotland and other work on short-term-let policies and modular building through UHI Orkney.
Quality Warm Homes - Achievements
Orkney Islands Council
- Stock condition survey pre-procurement.
- Procurement and start of survey early 2026/27
Energy Efficiency Programme (HEES:ABS)
- £1.86M delivered in 2023/24
- £1.48M delivered in 2024/25
- 106 households supported in 2024/25
- 146 energy efficiency measures approved, with installations continuing to programme completion.
- £1.97M secured for the 2025/26 programme, including an additional £220k allocation.
IMAGE: Slide summarising Quality Warm Homes achievements, including the planned stock condition survey and funding, household support and approved measures under the Energy Efficiency Programme.
Access and Choice of Housing - Achievements
Housing Access and Allocations
- Section 5 protocol review being undertaken with OHAL as part of wider review of lettings policy and housing options approach
- OIC have had initial meeting in respect of having a digital housing application form – further meetings in April 2026 to scope project
- Student accommodation project progressing – one property purchased (March 2026) with a second due to complete shortly to support UHI Orkney students
IMAGE: Slide outlining work on the Section 5 protocol, a potential digital housing application form and student accommodation for UHI Orkney students.
Homelessness and Rehousing
- 104 households awaiting permanent accommodation
- 81 in temporary accommodation (B&B / self-catering)
- 11 staying with family or friends / homeless at home
- 12 awaiting temporary accommodation placements. Permanent lettings to homeless households continuing through OIC and OHAL allocations
Independent Living
- Review of Joint Adaptations Protocol planned for 2026/27 to ensure equitable access across housing
IMAGE: Slide presenting homelessness and rehousing figures, including households awaiting permanent or temporary accommodation, followed by a planned review of the Joint Adaptations Protocol to support equitable access to housing.