New statistics reveal falling supply, rising need and widespread housing quality failures

New Housing Statistics for Scotland, 2024-25, revealed a total of 9,779 new homes were added to Scotland’s housing stock in 2024–25 — 628 fewer than the previous year, a 3% drop. Apart from the pandemic‑affected year of 2020–21, this is the lowest level of new supply in seven years.

Scotland’s total housing stock now stands at 2.73 million dwellings, of which:

• 60% are owner‑occupied
• 23% are social rented
• 13% are private rented or rent‑free
• 4% are vacant or second homes

The social rented sector grew modestly, rising 1% to 638,065 homes as of March 2025, an increase of 5,035 properties.

But demand continues to outstrip supply. Councils recorded 180,074 housing applications across 26 waiting lists, up 1% on last year and the highest level since 2013. The true number of households seeking a home is likely higher due to double‑counting across multiple lists.

Local authorities made 26,602 permanent lets in 2024–25, a 5% increase, with:

• 49% allocated to homeless households
• 25% to waiting list applicants
• 21% to existing tenant transfers

Eviction activity remained below pre‑pandemic levels. Councils issued 16,543 notices to begin eviction proceedings, broadly unchanged on last year and 33% lower than 2019–20. Of the 676 cases that ended in eviction or abandonment, 94% were due to rent arrears.

Supported housing provision also continues to grow. Local authorities now provide 20,754 homes for older people and 32,111 for people with physical disabilities, a 27% increase over the past decade.

Separate figures from the Scottish House Condition Survey reveal a stark picture of housing quality across the country.

Between 2022 and 2024:

• 55% of dwellings failed the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS)
• 28% failed the Tolerable Standard, the legal minimum below which a home is considered unacceptable

Failure rates varied widely. East Lothian (66%), Argyll & Bute (65%) and Dumfries & Galloway (65%) recorded the highest SHQS failure rates, while West Lothian (42%) and Clackmannanshire (45%) performed best.

Fuel poverty also remains entrenched. The national rate sits at 31%, but rises to 51% in Orkney, 43% in West Dunbartonshire, and 40% in both the Western Isles and Shetland.

Energy efficiency disparities persist, with rural and island authorities recording the highest proportions of EPC F and G‑rated homes. Dumfries & Galloway tops the list at 14%, compared with a national average of 3%.

The number of Scheme of Assistance grants, used to help homeowners and private tenants repair or adapt their homes, fell sharply to 5,157, a 15% decrease. Total spending dropped to £35 million, including £26.6m in grants.

CIH Scotland said the figures underline the need for “strong, visible leadership” amid concerns over the loss of a dedicated housing minister.

National director Gillian McLees said: “The latest Scottish Government housing statistics underline the scale of Scotland’s housing emergency. Whilst we welcome a small one per cent increase in delivery of social housing, this number does not meet the required 15,693 affordable homes needed each year to meet demand.”

She warned that the fall in overall supply leaves Scotland 15% below pre‑Covid delivery levels, adding: “Against this backdrop, merging housing with the social justice portfolio - with no dedicated housing minister - is deeply disappointing.”

McLees said the sector is united in calling for stronger leadership.

“With homelessness rising and delivery falling, the sector is clear that strong, visible leadership is essential. CIH Scotland is calling for urgent clarity on how the government will drive the sustained investment and coordinated action required to deliver the homes Scotland’s communities need.”