A BORDERS housing charity has been announced as a finalist in a national awards ceremony.

Eildon Housing Association has been named as a finalist in the Social Housing Developer of the Year category at the Scottish Home Awards 2021.

The awards consist of 18 categories which received 130 nominations from 70 Scottish organisations.

Nile Istephan, chief executive of Eildon Housing, said: “We have worked hard at Eildon Housing Association to continue to provide high-quality, affordable and innovative new homes throughout the past year in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is really gratifying to see such team efforts are being recognised with this prestigious nomination."

Mr Istephan added: "We are in the midst of our most ambitious development programme ever, delivering a record-breaking expansion of housing and care services for our communities in the Scottish Borders.

"We currently have 25 live developments, 6 of which will complete over the next 4 months including Wilkie Gardens our brand new extra care development in Galashiels. We are also doing ground-breaking work with our Green Pilot project which will see up to 50 new green homes built using different building methods. Working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and Glasgow School of Art (MEARU) the pilot will compare construction costs, time to build and the experience of tenants living in the homes.

"We will be looking to work closely with two families at each of the green projects to for a period of time when they move in. The results will be used to determine not only the future building programme for Eildon, but also lead the way for how Scottish homes are built and lived in, in the future.

"This is all part of our strategy to invest in excess of £120 million in the Borders economy bringing much needed jobs, regeneration and 750 affordable new homes.

"We appreciate we have stiff competition and wish everyone well on 16 September when the winners will be revealed at the ceremony in Glasgow."

This is the 14th year of the Scottish Home Awards and this year's winners will be announced at a ceremony on September 16.

Finalists are invited to a live ceremony at the Hilton Glasgow Central, or a livestream can be accessed online.