The Scottish Government’s latest housing statistics are “worrying” and show its affordable housing target is at risk, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said.
The statistics show the number of homes built by housing associations fell by 17% in the year ending June 21, while the number of approvals to build fell to their lowest level since 2015.
Just over 3,000 housing association homes were completed between June 2020– 2021, compared to 3,675 in the previous year.
Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, said: “Today’s figures are worrying, and, if these trends continue, the Scottish Government risks missing its target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. We know the pandemic had a serious impact on housebuilding, but, two years on, it’s concerning to still be seeing this decline in housing association approvals and completions.
“We know our members are facing serious pressures which are affecting their ability to develop. Not only is the cost of building homes increasing, but our members are continuing to experience supply chain issues. We are therefore calling on the Scottish Government to build on the investment that it has already committed to the social housing sector. It is vital that funding meets increasing costs, so our members can build the homes Scotland desperately needs.”
Author: Charlie Maunder