THERE were 19,623 homes built and 16,404 new builds started in 2023-24, the latest Scottish Government housebuilding statistics have revealed.
The figures mean that completions (-4,150; -17%) and starts (-3,000 -15%) were lower in 2023-24 than the previous financial year.
The private sector completed the build of 14,589 homes and started 12,904 new builds in 2023-24. Completions (-2,270; -13%) and starts (-2,420; -16%) were also lower in 2023-24 than the previous financial year.
New build completions were the second lowest since 2017-18, with the lowest being in 2020-21 when Covid restrictions impacted housebuilding. Starts were also at the lowest point since 2014-15.
The social sector built 5,043 homes and started building 3,500 homes in 2023-24. Completions (-1,876; -27%) and starts (-580; -14%) were lower than the previous financial year. Completions were the lowest since 2020-21 and starts the lowest since 2012-13.
In 2023-24, there were 6,981 approvals, 6,755 starts, and 9,514 completions of affordable homes. This includes affordable homes for social rent, affordable rent, and affordable home ownership. The stats include off the shelf purchases and rehabilitations as well as new builds.
There was an increase in affordable housing supply approvals (585, 9%) and there were decreases in starts (-235, -3%), and completions (-952, -9%) in 2023-24 compared with 2022-23.
Affordable housing supply approvals were the second lowest since 2014-15, starts were the lowest since 2014-15 and completions were down from a 15 year peak reached in 2022-23
Commenting on the publication of the latest quarterly housing statistics, housing minister Paul McLennan said, “Since 2007, Scotland has delivered more than 131,000 affordable homes, with more than 93,000 of those being for social rent. We will continue to build on that record with almost £600 million of investment in the Affordable Housing Supply programme in 2024-25.
“I recently outlined the Scottish Government’s plan to tackle the housing emergency with three key pillars forming part of our approach: more high quality, permanent homes, the right homes in the right places and a permanent home for everyone.
“While we remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, our capital block grant is being reduced by nearly 10%, a loss of more than £1.3 billion by 2027-28. Likewise, our financial transactions budget – key to delivering affordable housing – has been cut by 62%.”
Jane Wood, chief executive of sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), commented, “It has now been over a month since the Scottish Government finally acknowledged the housing emergency which is crippling the social wellbeing and aspirations of the people of Scotland.
“Evidence of how deep rooted the situation is mounting all the time, not least with an additional four local authorities having now declared their own respective emergencies since the last housing statistics were published.
“On the basis of the figures released today, the people of Scotland deserve more than platitudes and excuses. Our own research also highlights the decline of SME home builders and thousands of new homes now stalled across the country as a result of affordable housing budget cuts.
“HFS, alongside other major housing stakeholders, has set out a clear Housing Emergency Action Plan that must be addressed urgently if we are to tackle this crisis effectively.
“We and our members have tabled a range of evidenced solutions to increase the delivery of high quality, sustainable homes of all tenures at pace and stand ready to work with the Scottish Government and all others who wish to see housing supply increased to achieve this.”
