Scotland's housing emergency is causing 'misery for families' as the Scottish National Party (SNP) Government missed its target to build 8,000 new affordable homes last year, according to official figures published today. Only 6,832 affordable homes were completed, 15 per cent below the target, and the number of new houses built dropped to its lowest level since 2012.
Shelter Scotland Criticises Political Choices
Housing charity Shelter warned that the current trajectory means the Government is also off-course to meet its commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032. Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, director at Shelter Scotland, said: 'Homelessness is caused by the political choice not to build enough social homes. Choosing not to build enough homes is choosing to leave children in temporary accommodation, choosing to let rough sleeping rise, choosing to let homelessness services fail just at the time when far right voices are trying to weaponise the issue.'
Over 10,000 Children in Temporary Accommodation
Steep rent increases in the private rental market and a severe shortage of affordable homes in Scotland's biggest cities have prompted multiple local authorities to declare housing emergencies in recent years. The demand for housing is so great that more than 10,000 children are living in temporary accommodation with their families after councils failed to find permanent homes for them.
Scottish Government Accused of Breaking Promise
Llewellyn-MacRae added: 'The Scottish Government has broken its promise. Building social homes must become a national mission of the very highest importance. There are some welcome signs of progress. Social housing starts are at their highest level since 2021/22, suggesting that the Housing Emergency Action Plan is beginning to turn the dial after last year's record low. But completions have fallen, and the pace of delivery still falls far short of what's needed. Ending the housing emergency is absolutely possible.'
Opposition Calls for Action
Mark Griffin, Scottish Labour housing spokesman, said: 'We need to build the homes Scots need if we are to tackle the scandal of homelessness and drive down housing costs. The SNP is supposed to be boosting housebuilding by 10 per cent a year, but so far things are going in the wrong direction. The SNP must wake up to the crisis unfolding on its watch and deliver the action needed to get Scotland building – from reforming our planning system to providing fair funding for local councils.'
The Record has asked the Scottish Government for comment.
