Push to unlock empty homes amid Scotland’s housing crisis

An organisation is calling for empty homes to be brought back into use to ease Scotland’s housing crisis.

Figures published by the Scottish government reveal a total of 44,453 privately owned homes have sat empty for more than six months, an increase of 915 compared to the previous year. Of these, 32,337 have been vacant for more than twelve months, the highest number on record.

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) says the figures show “how much of the country’s existing housing stock is going to waste” as they call for more investment.

No home was built to sit empty

According to Scottish government figures, in 2024/25, more than 34,000 households in Scotland were assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness.

The SEHP is calling on the Scottish government to make the best possible use of existing housing stock in tackling Scotland’s housing emergency.

SEHP national manager, Tahmina Nizam, said: “In councils across the country, dedicated empty homes officers are working hard to bring empty homes back into use. The figures published are a reminder of just how important that work is.

“No home was built to sit empty, and we simply can’t afford to let these vital assets go to waste. Bringing empty properties back into use is a cost-effective way to ease housing pressures; in many cases, it will be the simplest, quickest way to expand local affordable and social housing stock.”

More work needs to be done

She adds: “Since the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership was formed in 2010 nearly 13,000 homes have been brought back into use. Everyone involved, from local and national government, and across the housing sector should be proud of that. Our recently launched Matchmaker Scheme, which assists owners of empty properties in finding interested buyers, will help make sure even more homes are brought back into use in the coming year.

“However, the figures published are a clear reminder that there’s more work to be done when it comes to unleashing the potential of Scotland’s empty homes. Every single empty property could transform a family or individuals’ life, but collectively they could make an enormous contribution to ending Scotland’s housing emergency.”

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