Number of new affordable homes being built plunges amid housing emergency

The number of new affordable homes being built has fallen for the third year in a row amid an ongoing national housing emergency, figures show.

Official figures reveal the number of affordable homes completed in Scotland has fallen from 23,486 in 2022 to 21,318 in 2023, with a further drop to 19,988 in 2024.

The statistics also show a decline in the number of affordable homes started during that time – 22,088 in 2022, 16,849 in 2023 and 15,749 in 2024.

Scottish Labour has criticised the Scottish Government for letting the number of affordable housing developments slip despite declaring a housing emergency over a year ago.

The party said the Government must “act urgently” to tackle the housing crisis and publish the emergency housing plan by autumn, as previously promised.

“Despite having declared a housing emergency last year, ministers have allowed the supply of new homes to dwindle, with a drop in the number of homes built,” Scottish Labour housing spokesperson Mark Griffin MSP said.

“Not only has the SNP failed to tackle the housing emergency, it has also fanned the flames of the crisis by letting housebuilding plummet.”

Since declaring a national housing emergency in May 2024, £600m has been invested in affordable housing, with a view to bringing empty and abandoned properties back onto the market.

The Government also said it was making an additional £1m available to registered social landlords and third sector organisations to prevent homelessness and support people to stay in rented accommodation.

It said further action will be taken in the coming year to continue to tackle the housing emergency.

Mairi McAllan was also appointed as housing secretary by John Swinney in June 2025.

Griffin added: “Mairi McAllan has promised to deliver an emergency housing plan, but people across Scotland cannot afford to wait any longer for this dithering SNP government to act. She must act urgently.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The cabinet secretary for housing will provide an update on ongoing efforts to tackle the housing emergency in autumn.

“We are investing £768m this year including £40m targeted at acquisitions to help deliver affordable homes more quickly.

“We’ve helped support more than 139,000 affordable homes since 2007, demonstrating our strong track record on delivery. Between 2007 and 2024 we have delivered 47% more affordable homes per head than England and 73% more per head than Wales.

“Factors including the pandemic, Brexit, cost of living crisis and inflationary pressures have put our housing system under considerable strain, with demand outstripping supply across the UK.

“However along with our significant investment, we are working closely with local authorities to support them to acquire more homes, return empty homes to use and prevent homelessness in the first place – including providing £97m to fully mitigate the UK’s bedroom tax.”