Places for People Scotland has signed an agreement with Orkney Islands Council to deliver up to 500 homes across Orkney over the next ten years — the first time a national housing association will operate in the islands. The council says national expertise is needed because more than 1,000 homes will be required across the islands in the next decade. Local firms can still bid for work, and leaders say the programme is essential to retain key workers, help young people access housing and boost the local economy.
Edinburgh Housing Association to Build up to 500 Homes in Orkney — Major Push on Islands' Housing Shortage
Places for People Scotland has signed an agreement with Orkney Islands Council to deliver up to 500 homes across Orkney over the next ten years — the first time a national housing association will operate in the islands. The council says national expertise is needed because more than 1,000 homes will be required across the islands in the next decade. Local firms can still bid for work, and leaders say the programme is essential to retain key workers, help young people access housing and boost the local economy.
01:36 PM, 11/13/2025Society
Edinburgh housing association to deliver up to 500 homes across Orkney over next decade
An Edinburgh-based housing association, Places for People Scotland (PPS), has signed a formal agreement with Orkney Islands Council (OIC) to develop and deliver up to 500 homes across the islands over the next ten years. This marks the first time a national housing association will operate in Orkney.
The council says bringing in a national body is necessary to help meet ambitious housebuilding targets. OIC estimates that more than 1,000 homes will be needed across Orkney in the next decade to meet rising local demand.
Frances Troup, OIC's head of housing, said the local construction sector currently 'lacks the financial capacity to fully spend the Scottish Government funds allocated for housebuilding in Orkney.' She added that Orkney firms will still be able to bid for contracts from PPS, and the association will prioritise a mix of homes — including affordable housing — mainly in Kirkwall and Stromness.
Gwenda Shearer, chair of the council's housing committee, described the shortage of available housing as 'without a doubt the biggest challenge facing Orkney' and said the scale of the problem required 'decisive and bold action'.
Council leaders emphasised the wider importance of new homes: they are vital to retain and attract essential workers who support local services and the economy, to allow young people to move out of their parents' homes and into rented housing or onto the housing ladder, and to create jobs in construction.
The council confirmed it remains committed to working with the local construction industry so island firms can tender for work, help create employment and ensure the economic benefits of the building programme remain in Orkney.
Key facts: up to 500 homes to be delivered by PPS over 10 years; more than 1,000 homes estimated as needed across the islands in the next decade; PPS will focus on Kirkwall and Stromness while enabling local firms to bid for contracts.