The Scotland we want to see
It's the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May and we need every candidate to hear a very simple message: build more social homes.
This is the moment our voices matter most
Scotland is in a housing emergency.
Families are crammed into hotels, kids don’t have a bedroom of their own, and rents are going through the roof. We’ve faced a housing emergency before — and we solved it by building social homes.
If we did it then, we can do it again.
Ending Scotland’s housing emergency must be politicians’ top priority. Help us tell your local candidates to commit to building at least 15,693 new social homes every year of the next parliament.
Agree Scotland needs more social homes? Add your name today.
Email your local candidates nowIt's time to build
Build community — social homes build strong, stable communities where people thrive
Build fairness — without social homes, Scotland’s housing system isn’t fair - it’s rigged
Build opportunity — moving into decent housing helps people find stable work, leading to better financial security
Build hope — when we build social housing, we build hope for the 2.3 million adults in Scotland impacted by the housing emergency
Build the economy — social homes aren’t just good for people, they’re good for Scotland’s economy
The Grans are back
The message is clear: we need to break ground.
Shelter Scotland took to the streets of Glasgow with our straight-talking gran to hear what people have to say about the housing emergency.
People shared the pressures they’re facing - rising rents, long waits for a secure home, and the toll this takes on families and wellbeing.
These are real experiences from Glasgow, and they reflect a housing emergency now affecting 2.3 million people across Scotland.
Video transcript
(music playing in the background)
(Gran) Want to end the housing emergency? Let's break ground!
(Man) The rent is absolutely astronomic.
(Woman) I struggled with my mental health after being made homeless. It would definitely tackle homelessness if things were more affordable. More social homes, it would make a huge difference.
(Gran) What do we want?
(Woman) Social homes!
(Woman) Social homes!
(Man) Social housing!
(Gran) When do we want it?
(Woman) Now!
(Woman) Now!
(Man) Let's be ground breaking!
(Woman) Break ground!
(Gran) Take ten seconds to stand with Shelter Scotland and tell politicians to end homelessness and build more social homes. Let's break ground!
People in Glasgow tell our gran about sky-high rents and long waits for a safe and secure home — the harsh realities of the housing emergency.
Delivering an end to Scotland’s housing emergency
The next Scottish Government must commit to a goal of reducing affordable housing need by the end of the next parliament. To do this, it must deliver the social homes and housing rights we need.
Our Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland details the actions that all parties need to prioritise after the 2026 Scottish election.
Read our delivery planWe know what works
Our campaigns are built on solid evidence that shows exactly what Scotland needs to end the housing emergency.
Affordable housing research
Children in temporary housing
