SFHA has welcomed increased long-term funding for affordable housing in the Scottish Budget but has warned the system needs a "radical overhaul" to tackle Scotland's housing emergency.

SFHA Chief Executive, Richard Meade said:

“The Scottish Government’s draft Budget confirms a continued commitment to affordable housing, with £4.1bn in public funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme over four years, and this progress is appreciated.

“However, a closer look at the spending review shows that much of the increase is back-loaded towards the end of the period. Once construction costs, inflation, labour shortages and regulatory pressures are taken into account, funding in the early years of the programme appears broadly flat in real terms. This risks slowing delivery at precisely the point when we need to accelerate the building of affordable and social homes.

“We need to see an £8.2bn commitment over the course of the next Scottish Parliament, alongside a radical overhaul of the housing system, if Scotland is to build the 15,693 affordable homes it needs every year to respond effectively to the housing emergency. We will continue to make the case for greater investment in affordable housing in Scotland so that everyone can have a safe, warm affordable home.”

SFHA members can access our full briefing here.