Scotland has seen a fall in new housing supply and a rise in waiting lists to their highest level in more than a decade, according to official statistics.
Published just yesterday (27 May), the figures show new homes dropped to 19,777 in 2024-25, down 3% on the previous year. This is the lowest total since 2017-18, excluding the year of the pandemic.
At the same time, demand for housing has continued to rise. As of 31 March 2025, there were 180,074 applications on council waiting lists across Scotland, the highest level since 2013.
However, the figure does not include some major local authorities, including Glasgow.
The social rented sector increased slightly to 638,065 homes, up 1% year on year. Councils own just over half of these homes, with housing associations accounting for the rest.
Nearly half (49%) of permanent council housing lettings in 2024-25 went to homeless households, while a further quarter went to people on waiting lists.
Eviction notices issued by councils remained stable at 16,543, though still 33% lower than before the pandemic. Although, cases ending in eviction or abandonment rose by 20% to 676, with 94% linked to rent arrears.
Housing quality figures show wide regional variation. Fuel poverty affects 31% of households across Scotland, ranging from 22% in Stirling to 51% in the Orkney Islands. Eight local authorities are above the national average, including West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow City and Dundee City.
Energy efficiency also varies, with island and rural areas recording the highest proportions of least efficient homes. Dumfries and Galloway, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkney Islands and Highland all have double-digit shares of homes rated F or G.
The data comes just days after the Scottish government announced a new cabinet without a dedicated housing secretary. Responsibility for housing has instead been combined with social care under Shirley-Anne Somerville.
Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, assistant director at Shelter Scotland, said: “It is incredibly deflating to see housing downgraded from a specific cabinet post to a shared portfolio and the standalone housing minister effectively downgraded to a junior role.’
‘At Shelter Scotland we of course look forward to working with Shirley-Anne Somerville on the Scottish government’s Housing Emergency Action Plan,’ he continued. ‘We broadly support their plan for more homes, protecting homelessness rights and tackling the racism and bias in our housing system.
‘But without a dedicated seat at the table housing organisations will need to keep speaking out if we are to see manifesto pledges turned into action.’
Photo: The JR James Archive
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