Shelter Scotland urges government to invest in social homes amid housing crisis

Shelter Scotland claims social housing generates thousands of pounds a year to help improve lives.

A three-year study commissioned by Shelter Scotland reveals new social tenancies can generate a value of nearly £12,000 a year.

The study, led by Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT), worked with tenants and social housing providers to measure how securing a social tenancy has transformed households’ health, well-being, and life circumstances, such as economic and employment status.

Invest in social homes

According to the study, each new social tenancy in Scotland can generate on average £11,639 in social value within just six months of a tenant moving in.

This figure includes a £990.44 saving to the public purse and £10,648 in wellbeing value to the tenant, who benefits from improved opportunities such as securing employment, better health, transport connections, and reduced housing costs, thanks to their new social home.

However, despite social housing offering a solution to Scotland’s housing emergency, figures reveal social house building is at its lowest level in a decade.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, is urging the Scottish government to invest in social homes.

She said: “As 2.3 million adults in Scotland are impacted by the housing emergency, we know social homes provide security, affordability and stability, resulting in positive social, economic and health outcomes.

“In turn, the cost to the public purse of the negative consequence of poor housing is reduced. This is why the government need to make social housing a priority.

“Investing in social housing means investing in people’s health and in our communities. Delivering more social housing is the only way to get the 10,360 children in Scotland out of temporary accommodation and into forever homes. So, ultimately, investing in social homes is also investing in Scotland’s future.”