Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) guidance note MHDGN 2023/02

Role of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan

A Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) is an important document which sets out local authority strategic investment priorities for housing over a 5 year period, specifically affordable housing and Gypsy/Traveller accommodation, with these strategic investment priorities being aligned with the priorities and outcomes set out in local housing strategies.  Specifically, the SHIP is the key document for identifying:

• Proposed strategic affordable housing projects which require Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding support.  Local authorities are encouraged to read the Affordable Housing Supply Programme: Process and procedures guidance which includes information on the types of project that can be delivered with Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme support. 
• Proposed affordable housing projects which are to be provided without Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding support (e.g. funded directly by the local authority).

The SHIP is therefore an operational rather than policy document and:

• reflects and aligns with the housing policies and outcomes set out in each local authority’s Local Housing Strategy (LHS) and LHS Outcome Action Plan;
• reinforces the role of the local authority as the strategic housing authority;
• informs Scottish Government investment decisions; and
• informs the preparation of a Strategic Local Programme Agreement that sets out the planned programme across the local authority and, where required, informs the preparation of Programme Agreements to individual providers setting out their planned programme.

All local authorities are required to prepare annual Strategic Housing Investment Plans in collaboration with local housing delivery partners.