Part of a series of white papers being launched, the paper highlights that the shortage of homes is having wide-ranging consequences across the country, from rising homelessness and child poverty to slowing economic growth and population decline in rural and island communities.

At the heart of COSLA’s proposals is a call to re-empower local government. Councils, with their deep understanding of local communities, are best placed to deliver housing solutions tailored to local needs. However, current national systems are considered overly bureaucratic, centralised and limit local decision making.

The paper outlines a series of key actions, including devolving management of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to local authorities, ensuring long-term and flexible funding arrangements, and reforming funding frameworks to better reflect rising construction costs. It also calls on the proposed national housing agency, ‘More Homes Scotland’, to work in genuine partnership with local government with shared governance.

The paper makes clear that without sustained investment and structural reform, Scotland will struggle to meet its housing ambitions and deliver on long-term strategies such as Housing to 2040. It argues that short-term fixes are insufficient and that lasting solutions depend on trust, collaboration, and giving councils the tools and flexibility to act.

With the next Scottish Parliament set to shape the future of housing policy, COSLA is urging policymakers to prioritise local leadership and partnership working.

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA community wellbeing spokesperson, said: “As we approach the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, we face both challenge and opportunity. Scotland’s housing system is under severe pressure, but with a renewed partnership between national and local government, we can reset how Scotland delivers homes and supports communities based on our nine key asks.

“Local Government stands ready to play its full part. With the right tools and the right support, councils can help create a housing system that is fair, sustainable, and fit for the future.”