News article 11/07/2013

(Issued 11 July 2013)

Homes for Scotland has backed Audit Scotland’s call “to ensure housing is well planned and linked to other policy areas” following publication of the public body’s report highlighting that the supply of housing is not meeting current levels of need and that it could take more than 20 years before enough new homes are built to meet projected household increases in any one year.

Chief Executive Philip Hogg said:

“Following last month’s statistics showing that fewer than 15,000 new homes were built in Scotland in 2012¹, the lowest level since 1947, Audit Scotland’s report is further proof, if it were needed, that we desperately need more new homes – across all sectors.

“It is projected that Scotland needs around 465,000 new homes by 2035 to meet demand² but present build rates point to a potential shortfall in the region of 140,000 at a time when there are already significantly more people than that on housing waiting lists³. Clearly, this would exacerbate the country’s housing crisis.

“The report’s findings reinforce the requirement for bold, long-term action beyond budgeting rounds at both national and local authority level to help reverse the current downward trend. We also need a joined-up, tenure-neutral approach that ensures Scots have access to the full range of quality housing options they deserve.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. Source: Housing Statistics for Scotland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS

2. Source: Scottish Government press release
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/05/pension-funds

3. Source: Shelter Scotland website

4. Homes for Scotland (www.homesforscotland.com) represents companies which together provide 95% of all new homes built for sale as well as a significant proportion of affordable housing.

5. To access the Audit Scotland “Housing in Scotland”
http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/media/article.php?id=242