Scottish empty homes could help tackle housing crisis

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) claims the Scottish government must do more to tackle the empty homes crisis.

According to Scottish government figures, a total of 43,538 homes in Scotland have been empty for more than six months, with 73% of those having been empty for more than twelve months.

The SEHP suggests that empty homes could help address Scotland’s housing crisis, as more than 12 councils and the Scottish government declared a housing crisis in 2024.

These homes weren’t built to sit empty

According to the Scottish government, of the 1,875 properties recorded as brought back into use by empty homes officers across Scotland in 2023/24, almost two-thirds were empty for more than a year, with 16% having been empty for more than five years.

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership National Manager, Tahmina Nizam, said: “In local authorities across the country, empty homes officers are doing fantastic work to bring empty homes back into use. These figures underline just how vital those efforts are.

“These homes weren’t built to sit empty. Individually each empty home has the potential to transform someone’s life, collectively they have the potential to make a huge impact on Scotland’s housing emergency.”

Bring back empty homes into use

Ms Nizam adds the Scottish government must continue to bring back empty homes into use.

She said: “Since the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership started in 2010 more than 10,800 homes have been brought back into use. Everyone involved, from local and national government, across the housing sector and here at SEHP should be proud of their efforts to date.

“This is a reminder that fully realising the potential of Scotland’s empty homes requires continued investment and a strategic focus on targeting resources to bring homes back into use to meet local needs.”

Share This Article