SFHA: housing statistics demonstrate need for budget increase for affordable housing

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said the release today (Tuesday 7 December) of the latest quarterly housing statistics demonstrate how “vital” it is that the Scottish Government increases investment for affordable housing in this week’s budget. With housing associations and co-operatives facing rising construction costs and supply chain issues, SFHA said, if the government doesn’t build on the financial support it has already committed to the social housing sector, it risks being unable to deliver its target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. (1)  

Aaron Hill, SFHA Director of Policy and Membership, said: “Today’s figures demonstrate the serious impact that the pandemic had on housebuilding: the unavoidable pause in construction meant that the target to deliver 50,000 affordable homes by 2021 was missed. However, our members are now facing new pressures which are affecting their ability to deliver the affordable homes Scotland desperately needs.  

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s ambition to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, as well as the investment of over £3.4 billion already announced for this parliament. But the cost of building homes is rising, and our members are increasingly experiencing supply chain issues. We are therefore calling on the government to build on the investment that it has already committed to the social housing sector. It is vital that funding meets increasing costs, so we can continue to tackle housing need and meet the government’s target.”