THOUSANDS of new affordable houses for rent are in the pipeline in communities across Glasgow.

Each year, the Scottish Government gives the city council cash to pass on to housing association to meet pressing housing needs.

This year, almost £73million will be spent which will help fund more than 740 homes for social or mid market rent.

On Thursday, city councillors will be given details of the communities which will benefit from the housing boom.

A total of 16 housing associations will get cash to build 48 homes in the north-west of Glasgow, 219 in the north-east and 359 in the south of the city.

The smallest project will involve just two properties in Springfield Road and the largest 100 homes at Dalmarnock Riverside.

The council also has ongoing funding commitments to projects approved last year which will result in more than 1100 homes being built or refurbished by 17 housing association.

The £73m in grants is estimated to generate the same amount from the construction industry making a significant contribution to the city economy.

A report to councillors says the total development costs of around £145m will also boost the council's income as a result of planning application fees and building warrant fees.

Under a different funding scheme, the Wheatley Group, which is made up of Glasgow Housing Association, Cube and Loretto, this year has a building programme of 317 homes to rent.

It has said it is committed to building 2800 new affordable homes over the next seven years after securing a £300m landmark finance deal.

Wheatley Group chief executive Martin Armstrong said when the deal was announced that it would allow the organisation to "increase hugely" the supply of high-quality, affordable housing.

He added: "We will now press ahead with our plans to build thousands of new, much needed new homes."

The Wheatley housing pledge is part of a council commitment to build 3500 homes by 2017 and 25,000 by 2025. It is already well on the way to meeting the 2017 target.

Economic development spokeswoman Liz Cameron said: “The investment of almost £73m in 2015/16 takes us another step closer to those targets and will provide 743 new, good quality and sustainable homes across the city.

“But it is also expected to make a significant contribution to the city’s economy, generating a further £73m in the construction industry, bringing the potential for new jobs and apprenticeships.

“The creation of these new homes will also help us achieve our goals of building strong and resilient neighbourhoods and communities.

"They will also help us meet our sustainability ambitions as the homes will have high energy efficiency, resulting in low carbon emissions and low running costs for residents.”