Scotland sees increase in new build homes

Optimism is growing within the sector with the release of the latest Quarterly Housing Statistics for Scotland from Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The latest results show there were 19,598 new build homes started across all sectors over the year ending June 2017, an increase of 13%, or 2,188 homes, on the previous year.

The figures gather all information on new build housing, affordable housing supply, and local authority right to buy sales, along with the latest annual figures on long term empty properties and second homes.

This quarter saw a 13% increase in all sector new build starts in the 12 months to end June 2017, including increases in private-led starts (5% or 668 homes) and housing associations starts (63% or 1,942 homes), whilst local authority starts fell by 422 homes (26%). The total number of social sector starts (housing association and local authority starts combined) increased by 1,520 homes (32%).

There were 17,178 all sector new build completions in the 12 months to end June 2017, a decrease of 186 homes (1%) on the 17,364 completions in the previous year. Private-led new builds increased by 59 homes (0.4%) and local authority new builds increased by 94 homes (8%), whilst housing association new builds decreased by 339 homes (12%).

The statistics show that Affordable Housing Supply is also growing, with more than 70,000 affordable homes delivered in Scotland since 2007 – a total of 48,813 homes for social rent, including 8,819 council homes, as well as 4,936 for affordable rent and 17,112 for affordable home ownership.

Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) statistics reflect the broader supply of affordable homes (ie. for social rent, affordable rent and affordable home ownership) and include off-the-shelf purchases and rehabilitations as well as new builds.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart visited an affordable housing development in Edinburgh to meet tenants and mark the completion of the 70,000th affordable home.

Mr Stewart said: “Making sure everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is central to this Government’s drive for a fairer and more prosperous Scotland.

“We are determined to accelerate housing supply for communities across Scotland and I am delighted to announce more than 70,000 affordable homes have been delivered to date, including 48,813 homes for social rent.

“I am confident that we will continue to increase affordable housing across Scotland with our ambitious target to deliver 50,000 homes during the lifetime of this Parliament, backed by £3Bn of investment.”

 

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