Dramatic shortfall in social house building revealed

The number of new affordable rented homes built every year is less than half the level it needs to be, according to research by the Scottish Council for Single Homeless (SCSH). The survey gives the first insight into the need for new affordable rented housing, following work recently completed by local authorities.

A total of 25 local authorities responded to the survey - eighteen of whom were able to tell us how many houses they needed. They stated that they need a total of 8,400 new affordable rented homes a year built in their areas to meet demand. In the same authorities, Scottish Executive funding only delivered an estimated 3,200 new homes during 2003/4.

If this picture is repeated across Scotland , around 12,500 new affordable rented homes are needed every year, in stark contrast to the 4,900 new homes completed as a result of Scottish Executive funding in 2003/4.

SCSH Policy Officer, Dr Andrew Waugh, comments:

"The current level of investment is woefully inadequate. Local authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to fulfil their statutory duties and meet housing need in their areas. To meet housing need, development funding for social rented housing in Scotland needs to be significantly increased in order to more than double the number of houses built each year. This is critical if we are to meet the needs of homeless people covered by the new duties under the Homelessness etc. ( Scotland ) Act 2003.

If current trends continue, the shortfall in the supply of affordable rented housing will worsen. Inadequate investment poses a real threat to the Scottish Executive’s intention to reduce homelessness. Scotland ’s internationally acclaimed homelessness framework will clearly be undermined without more affordable rented housing."

––––––– ENDS –––––––

SCSH is the national membership organisation for individuals and organisations working with homeless people.

The SCSH research was conducted by surveying all 32 local authorities. A total of 25 responses have so far been received. 18 local authorities were able to provide specific information on their additional need for new affordable rented housing at the time of the survey.

Local authorities have recently completed work to assess housing need, demand and supply in their areas. This work is contained in their Local Housing Strategies.

Copies of the full survey findings ("Mind the Gap") can be found here (PDF)