Organisations call for finance secretary meeting over vital social housing cash

Following landmark research on affordable housing need, Shelter Scotland, CIH Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) warn that homelessness will continue to rise if Scotland fails to build at least 15,693 affordable homes per year over the next Parliament.

The annual cost for delivery on the scale needed would be at least £1.64 billion – starting in 2026-2027. In a joint letter to Ms Robison, the organisations recognise that while the investment is substantial, building costs will not fall, and the cost of inaction, socially and financially, is far greater.

Investment in social housing also supports wider government targets, including reducing child poverty, tackling climate change, growing the economy, and improving public services.

Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, said: “We face a simple choice: invest in the homes we need now or pay the price for generations.

“Scotland needs these new homes for social rent to prevent more families being pushed into poverty, to get the 10,180 children out of temporary accommodation and into permanent homes, to stop young people being locked out of secure housing and to protect communities from a broken and biased housing system.

“We hope the finance secretary will listen to these calls and hope she finds the time to meet us.

“We need our politicians to step up and invest in a future where everyone in Scotland has their right to a safe, affordable home upheld. It is time to build Scotland, build hope and build more social homes.”

SFHA CEO, Richard Meade, said: “Delivering the social homes that we desperately need is crucial for solving every major challenge Scotland is facing, from tackling poverty and homelessness, to improving health outcomes and strengthening the economy.

“The evidence is clear about the scale of investment that requires, but it’s not just about building homes – it’s about building the future Scotland that we want to see: a fairer, wealthier and healthier one.”

CIH national director, Callum Chomczuk, added: “Our joint research is clear. Scotland needs an additional 15,693 affordable homes annually between 2026 and 2031. This is over 75,000 homes over the next Parliamentary term. By contrast we delivered a little over 8000 social and affordable homes in 2024.

“We recognise it is an ambitious target, it requires a step change in capacity and it comes with a significant price tag. But if we want to truly end the housing emergency, get children and families out of temporary accommodation and make the housing system work for everybody then; it starts with building the social and affordable homes we need.

“We hope the commitment made in the Housing Emergency Action Plan is reflected in full in the budget and sets Scotland on the path to an annual programme of 15,693 social and affordable homes.”