Number of new homes at lowest since 2015, figures show

The figures show an 8% drop from the previous year and the lowest number since 2014-15, excluding the pandemic.

The number of new homes in Scotland’s housing stock is at the lowest level for more than a decade, statistics show.

Figures released on Tuesday show 18,028 new homes were added to the country’s housing stock between April 2025 and March of this year – an 8% drop from the previous year and the lowest number since 2014-15, excluding the pandemic.

Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We recognise the challenges facing the new build sector, driven by international and domestic economic pressures, and we are using every lever at our disposal to accelerate housebuilding across Scotland.

The Housing Secretary said there were ‘challenges’ in the housebuilding sector (Jane Barlow/PA)

“Despite this, Scotland continues to lead the rest of the UK in housebuilding relative to our population size.

“Our Affordable Housing Supply Programme is also improving, with approvals up 42% and starts up 34% in the year to June 2026.

“Our new national housing agency, More Homes Scotland, will bring greater focus, co-ordination and ambition to unlock stalled developments and attract investment.

“Backed by a record £926 million budget this year, we remain focused on our target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”

Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said the Government is “failing to build enough to meet demand”.

“Just 18,028 new homes were added to the housing stock in the past year, an 8% fall and the lowest level in more than a decade outside the pandemic,” he added.

“At the same time, more than 10,000 council homes are sitting vacant.

“While some need major repairs or modernisation, ministers must work with councils to bring as many as possible back into use.

“The Scottish Government must set out how it will boost housebuilding and help councils get empty properties back into use.”

Shelter Scotland’s interim director Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae said: “Homelessness is not inevitable, but we cannot promise or blame our way out of the housing emergency; we need to build our way out.

“If we don’t deliver at least 15,693 social homes needed each year, thousands of families will remain trapped in limbo, with their health, wellbeing and chance to thrive impacted.

“Politicians of all stripes need to step up if we want to end homelessness.”