What is the SNP doing to meet housing demands?

The SNP are determined to tackle housing demand and ensure that everyone in Scotland can have somewhere to call home.

Since 2007, over 140,00 affordable and social homes have been completed under the SNP – proportionally much higher than England or Wales.

Scotland invests more per person than any other UK nation in measures to tackle homelessness and help people remain in their homes.

The 2026-27 Scottish Budget invests £926 million in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, so that everybody in Scotland can have the warm, safe, affordable home they deserve – an additional £158 million compared to 2025-26.

There is no denying that Scottish councils face serious housing pressures – which is why the SNP in government is building on its record to deliver more homes and tackle the causes of homelessness.

Tackling the housing emergency will be a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve the Scottish Government’s key priority of eradicating child poverty.

At the heart of the SNP’s mission is ensuring children are not spending time in unsuitable accommodation or long periods in temporary accommodation; that the housing needs of vulnerable communities are met, and we create the optimum conditions for confidence and investment in Scotland’s housing sector.

As outlined in the Programme for Government 2025-26, this SNP Scottish Government is taking a range of actions to ensure people can access good quality, affordable homes, including:

  • Delivering over 8,000 affordable homes with a focus on acquisitions and family sized homes.
  • Removing barriers on stalled housing sites to deliver up to 20,000 new homes.
  • Driving down numbers of privately owned long-term empty homes.
  • More than doubling the budget for adaptations.
  • Supporting completion of the six Gypsy/Traveller site demonstration projects.
  • Extending the Rural and Island Housing Fund to new applications to March 2028.
  • Delivering an equivalent of Awaab’s law in Scotland – ensuring landlords promptly address issues that are hazardous to tenants’ health.
  • Tackling homelessness by implementing the new Housing (Scotland) Bill.
  • Investing £1m to prevent homelessness and protect tenants’ rights.
  • Investing £4m in homelessness prevention pilots in 2025-26.