Orkney Islands Council welcomes Places for People Scotland as new housing partner to deliver 500 homes

Orkney Islands Council has entered a landmark partnership with Places for People (PfP) Scotland to deliver up to 500 new homes over the next decade – becoming the first national housing association to build in the islands. 

With over 50 years’ experience developing and managing homes across Scotland, PfP Scotland will now bring its expertise to Orkney - delivering up to 500 new homes over the next decade. 

The Council’s Local Housing Strategy (2024) sets an ambitious target of 1,030 new homes over ten years, with a 60/40 split between affordable and private housing. Meeting this goal requires innovation, collaboration and finance - and the Council identified the need for an additional housing association to help unlock the county’s full potential. 

This landmark signed partnership agreement will combine PfP Scotland’s national expertise and resources with the Council’s deep local knowledge to deliver homes that truly reflect Orkney’s communities, environment, and economy - helping local people stay, work, and thrive in the county. 

PfP Scotland’s developments will focus on larger sites, offering a mix including social rent, mid-market rent, and affordable home ownership options to expand choice and affordability. Around 60% of new homes will be affordable, supporting the Council’s vision for sustainable growth. 

The investment will also create opportunities for local building firms, boosting jobs, skills, and the construction sector across Orkney. 

Orkney Islands Council, Orkney Housing Association Ltd, and local Isles Development Trusts will continue to contribute to housing supply targets over the coming decade. All developments - including those by PfP Scotland - will be subject to the availability of Scottish Government grant funding for new affordable housing. 

Councillor Gwenda Shearer is Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee.  She said: “Lack of available housing is without a doubt the biggest challenge facing Orkney. The scale of the challenge facing us required decisive and bold action – and today’s announcement that Places for People Scotland are entering the market in Orkney is the result of months of work by our local housing team.  

“We are delighted that Places for People Scotland have come on board to support local providers in building more housing in Orkney – ensuring that more homes are available for more people.  

“The addition of Places for People Scotland to the local partnership will provide additional strength to the existing local partnership in order to meet the ambitious vision we have to deliver Orkney’s housing needs. 

“Building new homes is such a critical element of retaining and attracting essential workers to support Orkney’s communities and economy – including young people within our community who are looking to move out of their parents’ home and to rent or to get on the housing ladder. 

“Orkney Islands Council, OHAL, local development trusts and now Places for People Scotland are committed to working with the local construction industry through the relevant procurement process of building houses – helping to create local work and boosting the local economy.” 

Andrew Usher, Group Managing Director for Developments at Places for People, said: “We’re proud to be joining forces with Orkney Islands Council to help deliver the quality and mix of homes that local people need and deserve, with 60% being affordable. 

“This partnership is about more than just building houses – it’s about strengthening communities. We’re committed to working closely with the Council, local contractors and suppliers to ensure that the investment in new homes also supports jobs, skills and the local economy. 

“No one should be priced out of the place they call home. That’s why tackling the housing crisis means building the right homes in the right places and the most remote parts of the UK need investment as much as anywhere else. Through this partnership, we aim to create homes that help people stay and thrive in Orkney’s unique and vibrant communities.”