Government must stop ‘tinkering’ around housing emergency, says industry body

The Scottish Government must stop “tinkering round the edges of the housing emergency”, an industry body has said.

Homes for Scotland (HFS) is due to to host its 12th annual conference on Wednesday, with more than 225 individuals from the building sector due to attend.

The HFS conference will take place in Edinburgh, and officials said this year will focus on the housing emergency within the context of changing consumer, political and policy landscapes.

At the convention, HFS chief executive Jane Wood is expected to call for “an unequivocal display of leadership, innovative thinking and ambition to meet the all-tenure housing needs of the people of Scotland” from the country’s politicians.

Ms Wood is expected to say: “All the evidence points to the situation deteriorating further: 28% of Scottish households in some form of housing need, housing starts and completions down, 5000 homes stalled as a result of Scottish Government budget cuts, a worrying decline in the activity of SME home builders and a planning process which is still too long, too costly, too complex and too uncertain.

“We welcome, through ongoing conversations and the programme for government, the Scottish Government’s recent commitment to systemic changes across the housing landscape, including planning and investment, but clearly urgent action and pace is needed to deliver on this intent.

“Whatever government we see coming to the fore in 2026, home building must be a political priority that is led from the highest level.

“The time for shifting the deck chairs and tinkering round the edges of the housing emergency is over.”

The Scottish Government said it will continue to work with HFS and will do what it can to improve the number of affordable homes.

Housing minister and SNP MSP Paul McLennan said: “Since 2007, we have supported the delivery of 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 this year and we remain focused on supporting the delivery of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

“We will do everything we can within our devolved powers to continue to improve the supply of social and affordable housing.

“We cannot do this alone, and the contributions that Scotland’s housing sector can make alongside Scottish Government-led work are necessary and valuable – including our continued work in partnership with Homes for Scotland.”