A so-called housing emergency was decades in the making by successive governments, says a leading lettings agent.

David Alexander, chief executive of DJ Alexander Ltd – part of Lomond, and the largest lettings and estate agency in Scotland – says declining volumes of social housing coupled with a rising population over the last 20 years have led to the current housing emergency.

Between March 2007 until March 2024 the Scottish population increased by 402,700 while the total number of occupied dwellings rose by 286,142. 

Of this housing total there was an increase of 151,131 in the number of owner-occupied dwellings; a 107,242 rise in the private rented sector; and a decline of 20,267 in the social housing sector. (There is an increase in vacant dwellings which makes up the balance of the total occupied dwellings figure).

The last two decades have also seen a major change in the way in which people live. 

There are far more one and two person households with the result that more homes are required to house people. 

There are not nearly as many large families in Scotland, so the volume of properties built needed to increase at a much greater rate simply to keep up with demand. Unfortunately, this has not happened.

David Alexander comments: “Far too little social housing, coupled with a growing population – many of whom are now living on their own or as couples – with too few homes being delivered to meet the current and future demand.”

“Just 30 years ago there were 668,000 properties in the social housing sector yet now this is over 50% lower at 325,477 despite record waiting lists, the highest ever number of families living in temporary accommodation, and little sign that population growth is slowing.

“It is often said that the percentage of homeowners is falling yet, while this is statistically true in that in 2007 there were 62% of Scots owner-occupiers by 2024 Scotland had 60% owner occupiers but the largest number of homeowners ever at 1,645,318 which is almost 100,000 higher than five years before.”

He continues: “These figures also highlight the essential role the private rented sector (PRS) has played in meeting demand in the housing sector with the number of homes increasing by 43.4% in just under 20 years. Without landlords and property investors there would have been a serious lack of homes for people to live in which has clearly not been fulfilled by the social sector.”

“There needs to be a fully funded, properly coordinated, and multi-faceted approach to build more social housing, encourage greater investment in the private rented sector, and ensure that housebuilders can quickly and effectively increase their capacity. 

“It would be a disgrace if an examination of this data in five-years’ time showed no progress in meeting the current housing demands.”