Shelter Scotland calls for guarantee on social house building as new statistics reveal a 33% drop in social homes completion on the previous year

Commenting on the housing statistics quarterly update, which shows that the number of completions for social sector homes in the 12 months to March 2021 is over a third (33%) lower than the year before, Shelter Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government to ensure the number of affordable homes are committed to in the next budget.

New social homes started in 2020 compared to the previous year fell by 15%, this compares to a 32% drop in private house building.

The statistics come the day after leading housing charity Shelter Scotland, alongside the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), wrote to MSP Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, calling for new guarantees on protecting social house building commitments.

Reduced completion rates, alongside global supply chain issues, de-carbonisation costs, and post-Brexit skills shortages mean that overall housing supply and social housing delivery specifically, are under unprecedented pressure. Never before has the commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes, 70% for social rent, by 2032 been more important or at greater risk.

Our Director Alison Watson said:

“This fall in social housing completions shows the stark impact that COVID has had on social housing supply and shows the importance of putting social house building at the centre of Scotland's recovery from the pandemic.

"As we start to build again and restrictions change, it is vital that social housing is prioritised when it comes to skills and the supply of materials. That is why we wrote to the Cabinet Secretary asking for a new guarantee to deliver the homes needed to reduce affordable housing need in Scotland.”