Sector body warns Scottish Government is ‘not on course’ for 110,000 affordable homes target
Following today’s Scottish Government housebuilding statistics which showed social sector completions at the lowest level since 2007, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has warned the Scottish Government is not on course to reach its affordable housing target.
SFHA Chief Executive Richard Meade said: “Today’s figures show the lowest number of social homes built in nearly two decades, while a record 10,715 children in Scotland are living in temporary accommodation, double the number a decade ago. Scotland is a long way away from delivering the safe, warm and affordable homes the country needs.
“Whilst we have seen an annual increase in the number of social and affordable homes being started and approved, which shows longer-term investment does make a difference, social housebuilding starts remain 48% below their 2020 peak. The Scottish Government is not on course to reach its target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, and at current rates will not reach it until 2036.
“Not every lever sits with Ministers, but the key ones do: long-term funding and investment in Scotland’s capacity to build, especially in rural and island communities.
“Ahead of the Scottish Budget this December, social and affordable housing must be recognised as critical economic infrastructure and one of the strongest prevention investments Scotland can make. Scotland needs 15,693 social and affordable homes a year to meet housing need, and we will measure progress against that number until Scotland’s housing emergency is over.”