Housing secretary 'doesn't know number of people on social housing list'

Scotland’s new cabinet secretary for housing has told STV News she “doesn’t have the figure” of the number of people waiting for social housing in Scotland.

Màiri McAllan was asked the question during a visit to Wheatley Group development in Bathgate, West Lothian on Wednesday.

She admitted that she “didn’t have the figure,” which currently stands at nearly 250,000 people.

“I don’t have that, I don’t have that figure on me today, no”, she told STV News.

“So in my office in parliament, I have a dashboard that demonstrates to me the number of people who are waiting, who are in temporary accommodation, unsuitable…it’s not that I don’t know it, I don’t have the figure with me today.

“I think what they’ll be more interested in is that I am now taking this brief into Cabinet with a direct line to the First Minister and that housing is one of his absolute priorities.

“That we are investing more than ever in the delivery of affordable homes, and that I am turning over every stone that I can to make sure that more homes are available to more people in Scotland, and I’ll be making that my priority.”

McAllan took up her new position last week – the same day she returned from maternity leave – as the First Minister upgraded housing to a standalone capital position.

The Government Housing (Scotland) Bill is midway through its parliamentary passage, having cleared stage two last week.

McAllan’s appointment was said to ensure government action is focused on “tackling the housing emergency and providing energy efficient homes for the future”.

Nearly 250,000 people are waiting for social housing in Scotland. STV News

Ms McAllan met with tenants from Wheatley Homes on Wednesday before being shown around the homes on-site.

The development, which contains 29 homes for social rent, including two and three-bedroom properties, has been funded by £3.1m through the Scottish Government’s Charitable Bonds programme.

The visit comes after MSPs took evidence on the housing crisis last Thursday, with leading figures calling for the Scottish Government to prioritise the issue at a senior level.

At least 12 councils have declared local housing emergencies.

Argyll and Bute council was the first to do so in June 2023, followed by Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, and West Dunbartonshire councils.

The councils cited issues ranging from pressure on homelessness services, rising property prices and high levels of temporary accommodation.

The Scottish Government formally declared a national housing emergency on May 15, 2024.

In a new report titled “Still Waiting”, the Scottish Federation of Housing Association revealed that nearly 250,000 people across Scotland are currently waiting for a social home.

The group, while welcoming the £212m uplift for the affordable homes programme, has said that funding needs to go further, citing the “devastating” experience of people stuck on waiting lists.

“This devastating research lays bare the consequences of our housing emergency”, said SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas.

“We know that nearly 250,000 people in Scotland are on a waiting list for a social home: this report shows that they are often trapped in insecure, unaffordable housing which does not meet their needs and takes a significant toll on their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Steven Henderson, chief executive of Wheatley Group, said: “Increasing the supply and maintenance of homes that are affordable, fuel efficient and of high quality has never been more essential in Scotland. It’s central to what Wheatley stands for and does.

“Since 2021, Wheatley has committed to building around 3000 new affordable homes. Last year, we were recognised as the UK’s largest builder of social homes over the past decade. But we know more can always be done, and even more homes need to be built, as demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply. 

“This report outlines the challenges and hardship faced by people on waiting lists and the devasting impact it has on the lives of families.

“We are determined to use our scale and capacity to play our part in addressing the acute shortage of affordable housing in Scotland.”