'National catastrophe' warning as new statistics reveal SNP's housebuilding strategy in 'worrying decline'
Housing completions and starts in Scotland have declined in the space of a year, new statistics have revealed
SNP ministers are under fire after new statistics revealed a “worrying decline in the delivery of new homes across Scotland” - amid fears the emergency situation could turn into a “national catastrophe”.
The latest Scottish government statistics show continued declines in all-tenure housing starts and completions, highlighting a significantly worsening situation.
The figures show that there were 17,336 homes completed and 14,999 homes started across all sectors in 2025, representing annual decreases of 13 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
This continues a sustained downward trend in housebuilding activity, with both private and social sectors experiencing significant reductions.
Starts in the private sector are at their lowest level since 2013 and social sector starts are at their lowest rate since records began.
The SNP government has vowed to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 70 per cent for social rent. But the latest statistics show that as of December 2025, only 32,479 homes have been delivered.
The Scotsman revealed earlier this month that the Scottish government’s new housing agency will help speed up planning and investment for housebuilding.
Jane Wood, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, (HFS) said: “These latest figures confirm what our members are experiencing on the ground, a continued and worrying decline in the delivery of new homes across Scotland.
“Whilst the last six months of 2025 saw positive increases in approvals for the affordable housing supply programme, this is against an incredibly low bar in the context of one of the most challenging years in housing delivery where the affordable housing budget was cut by over 26 per cent and saw over 1,800 affordable homes stalled.
“Today’s statistics should be of major concern to everyone and directly challenge the Scottish government’s ambition to increase all-tenure housing delivery 10 per cent year-on-year.
“Without urgent action from all parties in May’s election, today’s housing emergency risks becoming a national catastrophe.”
Richard Meade, CEO of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), said: “The freefall in affordable housebuilding across Scotland should serve yet another wake-up call to our politicians about the urgent need to address the national housing emergency.
“The consequences of this crisis are devastating. It is simply unacceptable in modern-day Scotland that over 10,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation whilst we’re seeing record lows in affordable housing being built. This is untenable.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he would build 125,000 new homes in the next parliament if his party forms the next government, will “reform our planning system” as well as “set up a housing investment bank” and “bring derelict homes into play”.
Speaking to The Scotsman, he said: “After 20 years of SNP government, Scotland does need change.
“We are in the midst of a housing crisis that they have created and presided over. The fact that rough sleeping has gone up in recent years by 66 per cent is a national scandal. I will eradicate rough sleeping once and for all.
“The fact that 10,000 children are homeless in Scotland when we have a housing emergency at the same time is completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Màiri McAllan, SNP candidate for Clydesdale and housing secretary, said: "What today’s stats show is a 58 per cent increase in approvals and a 21 per cent increase in starts compared to the same period the previous year. That’s more homes for more families and it's exactly what you get from the SNP.
"We’ve secured the largest ever investment in affordable homes for next year. If re-elected, £926m will be invested in affordable homes as part of a four year programme worth up to £4.9bn. This will support delivery of 36,000 more affordable homes and adds to the 141,000 we’ve already delivered for Scotland.
"Building more homes is a key priority for the SNP, but we are also helping first time buyers with our transformational offer of up to £10,000 to help folk get on the property ladder - that's exactly what you get from John Swinney's strong leadership firmly on Scotland's side."
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