A report to the Housing and Property Committee on Wednesday 4 November brings together three key pieces of work: the Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028, the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027-2032 and the latest Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA).

Together, these provide a clear picture of current and future housing need across Highland and identify the action required to ensure people can access affordable, suitable homes in the places they want to live, work and study.

Housing and Property Committee chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, said: “Housing remains one of the biggest challenges facing Highland and is fundamental to sustaining communities, supporting economic growth and ensuring people can continue to live and work in the places they call home.

“Over the past four years, more than 1,800 affordable homes have been delivered across Highland through the council, and our housing association partners of which Highland Housing Association (HHA) is one of our most successful partners in delivering homes. While this represents significant progress, the latest evidence shows that demand continues to outstrip supply.

“The Housing Need and Demand Assessment estimates that around 31,848 homes will be required across Highland over the next 20 years. Meeting that need will require continued investment, strong partnerships and a collective focus on increasing housing supply across all tenures.

“Housing is about far more than building homes. It plays a vital role in tackling poverty, improving health and wellbeing, enabling independent living and supporting the workforce needed for Highland’s future economic growth.

“Through our Strategic Housing Investment Plan, Local Housing Strategy and Highland Housing Challenge, we are working with partners to deliver more homes, bring empty properties back into use, attract investment and create thriving, sustainable communities across Highland.”

Over the last four years, the council and its housing association partners have delivered more than 1,800 affordable homes across the region, with the majority delivered outside Inverness.

Key achievements include:

• 72% of affordable homes delivered outside Inverness.
• 127 homes built in remote communities.
• 837 new council homes completed.
• 897 homes delivered by housing association partners.
• 76 low-cost home ownership properties provided.
• 419 mid-market rent homes delivered.
• 135 properties purchased from the open market to help meet housing need.

This investment is helping more people access affordable housing while supporting local jobs, communities and the wider economy.

The updated Housing Need and Demand Assessment highlights the scale of future housing pressures across Highland.

The assessment estimates a requirement for 31,848 homes over the next 20 years and identifies housing availability as a growing challenge for both communities and employers.

Key findings show:

• 65% of employers surveyed identified housing shortages as a barrier to recruitment and retention.
• 29% of households expect or would like to move within the next two years.
• 20% of households with a health condition reported that their current home does not meet their accessibility needs.
• 10% of households considered their home overcrowded.

The findings reinforce the need to increase the supply of homes while ensuring the right types of housing are available in the right locations.