First Minister vows to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency

One of Scotland’s largest housing industry bodies has welcomed the First Minister’s promise to tackle the housing emergency.

In a meeting with Homes for Scotland, First Minister John Swinney and Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan claimed the Scottish government has taken “significant action” to tackle the housing emergency.

However, figures reveal Scotland’s housebuilding has plummeted to its lowest levels in 13 years.

Situation remains challenging

First Minister John Swinney claimed the Scottish government will help to build more affordable homes to tackle the housing emergency.

He said: “Delivering more housing will help create a better future for many and contribute to my government’s highest priority of eradicating child poverty as well as helping to grow the economy. The Housing Secretary and I met with Homes for Scotland representatives to discuss how we can work collaboratively to achieve that aim, including how our investment of £768m this year in affordable homes can help increase housing supply.

“By working with Homes for Scotland and other partners, we have taken significant action to tackle the housing emergency over the past year. This has included helping deliver over 7,400 affordable homes and supporting an estimated 2,457 households with children into affordable housing in the year to end March 2025.”

He added: “We recognise the situation remains challenging, which is why the challenge of tackling the housing emergency has been brought right into the heart of government. My programme for government reiterates our commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”

Emergency will only deepen

Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood welcomed the First Minister’s commitment but warned without meaningful change, the housing emergency will only continue to worsen.

She said: “The First Minister’s direct engagement with the home building sector sends a clear and welcome signal that the Scottish Government is serious about responding to Scotland’s housing emergency.

“New homes are the foundation of thriving communities but without urgent action and genuine collaboration with the sector to understand and tackle the regulatory and planning challenges that currently impact new housing delivery, the emergency will only deepen.

“It is critical that this dialogue results in meaningful change, from a more effective regulatory framework that can foster a supportive and resourced planning regime to a long-term policy agenda that can provide the certainty that our members require to invest.”