BUILDING affordable housing should be a key part of Scotland's recovery out of the recession caused by Covid-19, a new report urged today.

Proposals outlined by housing campaigners and charities suggest that investment in the social-housing sector would generate economic and social benefits for Scotland and its people, including reducing poverty and homelessness, improving health and creating jobs.

The Impact of Social Housing: Economic, Social, Health and Wellbeing document says that Scotland requires 53,000 affordable homes to be built by 2026, an initative which would create about 200,000 jobs, boost the economy by £2 billion and raise £100 million in tax revenues.