New social housing hits almost 30-year low amid housing emergency

The number of new houses started by the social housing sector in Scotland in the past year has hit an almost 30-year low despite the ongoing housing emergency.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government on Tuesday show a general decrease in housebuilding across the country, with a 5% drop in new starts in the past year and an 8% fall in completions.

The worst downturn was seen in the social housing sector, where construction began on 3,031 homes in the year to September, marking the lowest number on record.

The Scottish Government previously pledged to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with 70% of these to be for social rent.

However, recent figures showed 31,064 of these affordable homes had been built up to the end of September, with new starts and approvals in decline.

The latest statistics revealed that the number of affordable housing supply approvals was 55% lower than it was at its recent peak in 2019.

There was also a 21% decline in affordable homes beginning construction in the year to April, compared to the previous 12 months, from 6,895 to 5,424.

Despite the annual decline, Scottish housing secretary Mairi McAllan praised the fact that the number of quarterly approvals for affordable homes has risen by 61% in the three months to September, compared to the same period last year.

“I strongly welcome that these statistics show a 61% increase in approvals, and an 18% increase in starts of affordable homes,” she said.

“Despite these successes, there is still much to do and I am determined that we now step up our efforts.”

A leading Scottish homelessness and housing charity acknowledged “positive increases” in affordable housing, but stated that delivery remains “too slow” for thousands of Scottish children.

“If [Scottish ministers] are to achieve the remaining 79,000 on time they will need to move more quickly, invest more money and look at other ways of delivering the homes we need,” Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said.

“With 10,180 children spending Christmas in temporary accommodation, we cannot afford any more delay.”