SFHA has called for urgent action to arrest a collapse in housebuilding after figures showed the lowest number of social homes beginning construction on record.
According to statistics published by the Scottish Government today, work had started on just 3,031 social homes to the year ending September 2025, which is the lowest since records began in 1997. The number of homes completed in the social sector was also just 4,122- which represents an 8-year low since 2017.
It comes just months after SFHA, who represent the country’s housing associations and co-operatives, announced research in partnership with CIH Scotland and Shelter Scotland showing Scotland needed to build over 15,000 social and affordable homes per year across the next parliament to meet housing need.
Today’s statistics showed just 6,582 social and affordable homes were built under the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme in the year to September 2025- considerably fewer than half the amount experts say is required.
SFHA Chief Executive, Richard Meade said: “Today’s statistics show the lowest number of social homes started since records began nearly 30 years ago and underline the sheer scale of Scotland’s housing emergency.
“If the Scottish Government, or indeed anyone who aspires to be the next Scottish Government, has any hope of ending the housing emergency, reducing child poverty, or growing our economy, then they must arrest this collapse in housebuilding urgently.
“Our research shows that we must build over 15,000 affordable homes a year – and today’s statistics show we’re not even close to half of that amount. The cost of inaction is intolerable given how integral warm, secure and affordable homes are to our health, wellbeing and prosperity.”
Richard also appeared on BBC Radio Scotland's breakfast show on Wednesday to respond to the statistics (beginning 1:07:35), with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing also responding later in the programme (2:08:10).
