The Scottish Government (SG) is committed to supporting the third sector in Scotland. The third sector has a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The supply of affordable housing as set out in the Housing to 2040 Strategy is a high priority for the SG and Charitable Bonds contribute to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme through both the provision of loan finance to Regional Social Landlords (RSLs) and the distribution of Charitable Donations.

The successful Contractor will issue and promote limited recourse bonds open for investment by Scottish Ministers., Upon the Bonds’ maturing (following a fixed term of between five and fifteen years), Subscribers will receive back their full investment plus a rate of return. The Bonds will allow Subscribers to receive a rate of return on the amount they invest in the Bonds, the rate of return being expressed as total gross interest to be paid on maturity of the Bonds. . A proportion of the money which the SG Invests in the Bonds will be used by the Contractor to fund one or more loans, at a commercial fixed rate of interest (and subject to a single repayment with compound interest over a period matching the term of the bond), to eligible Registered Social Landlords for the purposes of supporting the development of affordable housing in Scotland.