Record number of empty homes brought back into use in Scotland

More than 2,000 empty homes have been brought back into use in Scotland in the past year to help tackle the housing emergency.

A report by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) reveals 2,066 homes were brought back into use in 2024/25, and empty homes officers have helped bring a total of 12,955 homes back into use since the partnership was founded in 2010.

The news comes after Scottish government figures reveal there are more than 43,500 empty homes in Scotland.

A record number of empty homes have been brought back into use

The report reveals of the 32 local authorities in Scotland, 25 have either published or are developing an empty homes strategy, more than double the total from the previous year, while 19 have an empty homes acquisition or buyback scheme in operation.

The SEHP is funded by the Scottish government and supported by housing charity Shelter Scotland.

Tahmina Nizam, SEHP national manager, says bringing back empty homes into use will help solve the housing emergency.

She said: “Every home matters in the fight to end Scotland’s housing emergency, so I’m thrilled that a record number of empty homes have been brought back into use in the past year.

“Last year the Scottish government declared a housing emergency, and more than a dozen councils have done the same so it’s more important than ever that we make the best use of the resources we have.

“We know empty homes won’t solve the housing emergency on their own but bringing them back into use is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to meet housing needs so it’s clear they have a significant role to play.”

Support councils to reduce the number of empty homes

Ms Nizam adds: “The record-breaking efforts of empty homes officers across the country, and everyone else working to tackle empty homes, in the past year should be celebrated but it’s clear a strategic focus and sustained investment is needed if we’re to continue to build on the excellent work that’s already under way.

“Each empty home can change the life of an individual or family but collectively they have the potential to transform Scotland’s housing landscape.”

The Scottish government have welcomed the news with Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan confirming the Scottish government will invest £2 million to support councils to reduce the number of empty homes.

She said: “These record-breaking figures show that making the best use of existing housing stock is a cost-effective and sustainable way of adding to the overall housing supply, complementing our ambitious house building programme.

“In 2025-26 we are investing £2 million through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to support councils to reduce the number of privately owned empty homes. This includes funding to allow them to recruit additional empty homes officers to take a more targeted and proactive approach to returning these homes into use.

“Every empty home brought back can provide much-needed homes for families and strengthen our communities.”