The Scottish Government’s latest quarterly housing statistics, covering the year ending December 2024, reveal notable trends in housing completions, new build starts, and affordable housing supply.
Key Findings:
- Total Housing Completions: 19,797 homes were completed, marking a 7% decrease (1,441 fewer homes) compared to the previous year.
- New Build Starts: 15,050 new homes commenced construction, reflecting a 9% decline from the prior year.
- Affordable Housing Supply: The Affordable Housing Supply Programme reported 6,440 approvals, 6,501 starts, and 8,180 completions within the year.
Sector-Specific Insights:
- Private Sector: Accounted for 15,066 completions and 11,617 starts, experiencing a 3% decrease in completions and a 5% drop in starts year-over-year.
- Social Sector: Noted 4,731 completions – a significant 22% reduction (1,322 fewer homes) compared to the previous year.
Reinstatement of Housing Funding:
In response to these trends, the Scottish Government has reinstated funding for affordable housing to £768 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This investment aims to deliver at least 8,000 homes for social rent, mid-market rent, and low-cost homeownership, contributing towards the target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. This move largely reverses the previous year’s near £200 million cut to the affordable housing budget, which had raised concerns about potential impacts on social housing supply and homelessness support.
Housing (Scotland) Bill – Stage 2 Progress:
Concurrently, the Housing (Scotland) Bill is progressing through Stage 2 in the Scottish Parliament. The Bill proposes changes to housing law, including enhanced tenant protections, measures to prevent homelessness, and other housing-related matters. While these initiatives are commendable, stakeholders emphasize the need for the legislation to prioritise the delivery of more good-quality, safe, and affordable homes to effectively address Scotland’s housing challenges.
Looking Ahead:
The reinstatement of housing funding and the progression of the Housing (Scotland) Bill represent positive steps towards addressing Scotland’s housing needs. However, continuous monitoring, strategic interventions, and a long-term commitment are essential to ensure that all Scots have access to safe, quality, and affordable homes.
For a detailed analysis, refer to the full report:
https://www.gov.scot/news/quarterly-housing-statistics-in-the-year-to-end-of-december-2024