Scottish Government warned about ‘collapse in housebuilding’ as housing association completions plummet by a third

Posted Monday 24th June by Admin User

SFHA and partners call for urgent action on housing emergency as ‘dire’ statistics show fewer new homes even before ‘hammer-blow’ cut takes effect. 

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The Scottish Government risks presiding over a collapse in housebuilding as new statistics show the number of homes completed by housing associations fell by almost a third in the last year. 

According to the latest Scottish Government figures, there were 3,378 homes completed by housing associations in 2023-24 which represents a 33% drop from the previous year’s total of 5,016 homes.  

Figures also showed that the number of homes started and completed in 2023-24 were down in every sector including local authorities and the private sector.  

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has warned that the freefall in housebuilding applies to the period before the Scottish Government’s £196m cut to affordable housing has taken effect: so it is likely that worse is to come.  

It comes after SFHA joined a range of housing and anti-poverty organisations in setting out a Housing Emergency Action Plan last week which called for the Scottish Government to urgently reverse recent cuts to the housing budget and fully fund local authority homelessness services. 

Reacting to the latest Scottish Government figures, SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas said: “Today’s dire statistics should serve as yet another wake-up call to the Scottish Government about the extent of the housing emergency and the immediate challenges we face in delivering affordable rented housing.  

“Starts and completions of new homes are down in every sector and it’s clear we are seeing a collapse in housebuilding.  

“Our housing associations are key to delivering the warm, high quality, affordable homes which will end the housing emergency, but successive Scottish Government cuts are threatening their ability to deliver. 

“With nearly 10,000 children living in temporary accommodation and almost 250,000 people on a waiting list for a social home, we cannot afford such a slowdown in housebuilding.  

“The Scottish Government must immediately change course and follow the Housing Emergency Action Plan set out by SFHA and our partners, otherwise they risk letting down everyone who is in desperate need of a warm, high quality, affordable home.”