Her response is as follows:As part of a substantially increased programme of funding for affordable housing in rural areas, Communities Scotland will invest £1.580 million in the Isle of Arran in 2004-05.Work is currently underway on a project to provide eight houses for rent, and it is expected that work will start shortly on a further two projects providing a total of 14 houses for rent.A Rural Home Ownership Grant is assisting a family to construct their own home.The requirement for affordable housing will be informed by North Ayrshire Council's Local Housing Strategy and currently opportunities are being pursued to acquire sites suitable for future development.