Most adults want politicians to do more to tackle housing issues, research finds

More than three out of five adults think politicians should be doing more to tackle housing issues, according to research.

Shelter Scotland has launched a plan called Delivering Homes, Delivering Rights which calls on the next Scottish government to tackle homelessness and the housing emergency.

It comes as research by YouGov commissioned by the housing charity found 68% of adults surveyed in Scotland think politicians in Holyrood should be doing more to tackle the issue of housing.

The research also found 88% of adults believe the development of new affordable homes is important for Scotland, while 66% said they do not know much or anything at all about their housing rights.

Shelter’s delivery plan sets out steps the next government should take to deliver affordable housing and reduce homelessness.

Aims include building at least 15,693 new social homes a year, backed by £8.8 billion of investment, upholding and enforcing housing rights, and an end to what the charity said is systemic inequality in the housing system.

The plan also calls on the government to make progress on a national housing and land agency to bring forward publicly-owned land for social housing, and oversee skills, training and planning.

Shelter Scotland director Alison Watson said: “The devastating reality of Scotland’s persistent housing emergency is that we are still seeing the consequences of the failure to deal with the backlog of homelessness. Our research shows the public wants real action on housing.

“As we look towards the Scottish election in May next year, Shelter Scotland is urging all politicians to commit to urgently delivering the social homes we so desperately need and protect the rights that keep people safe.

“Thousands of children across Scotland are currently stuck in temporary accommodation, denied the stability that a permanent home provides, and there’s a real risk that situation could deteriorate even further.

“We need our politicians to step up and deliver a future where everyone in Scotland has their right to a safe, permanent, home upheld. We can’t afford another lost generation on housing.”

Soran, his wife and three children were placed in temporary accommodation for two years in Glasgow.

He said the accommodation had mould, damp and maggots, which lead to one of his children developing a chest infection.

He said: “The temporary house was horrible and devastating. Ours was a nightmare and we had to evacuate the master bedroom due to the mould and dampness.

“Then we realised the living room was not safe either due to the small maggots under the carpet, so it wasn’t safe for the wee one. My wife and children had to share one small bedroom and sleep on the floor.”

In July, Soran received news that a permanent three-bedroom home was available.

He said: “When we found out, me and my wife were shaking and couldn’t stop smiling. It meant so much for everyone in the family. My wife loves the kitchen, and my daughter is so happy to have her own room for studying.”

The Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency in May 2024.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan announced an emergency action plan in September, pledging up to £4.9 billion over the next four years to deliver about 36,000 affordable homes.

She said: “Tackling the housing emergency is my top priority and will be key in achieving this Government’s core goals of eradicating child poverty and growing our economy.

“We have a strong track record in affordable housing, having delivered more than 140,000 affordable homes with over 100,000 for social rent.

“This means Scotland now has 47% more affordable homes per head of population than England and 73% more than Wales.

“However extremely challenging financial circumstances in recent years as a result of austerity, Brexit and the pandemic has created considerable strain and we must step up our action.

“That’s why last month we published the Housing Emergency Action Plan backed by up to £4.9 billion of investment to deliver a major affordable housing programme.

“This will support around 36,000 affordable homes over the next four years, providing affordable homes for up to 24,000 children.

“This is additional to the £808 million we will spend this financial year to deliver around 8,000 affordable homes.

“Just this week too we passed the Housing Bill, which marked a landmark moment in tackling homelessness.

“It will transform the way homelessness is prevented in Scotland, help to ensure no family has to stay in a rented home with damp and mould and will keep rents affordable for tenants.”