Minister unveils £4.9bn funding plan to tackle Scotland’s housing emergency

The Scottish Government has unveiled a £4.9bn funding plan to tackle the housing emergency, with a focus on providing permanent homes for families and children currently living under temporary or unsuitable accommodation.  

The Housing Emergency Action Plan, announced by Cabinet Secretary for Housing Mairi McAllan, sets out funding over the next four years to deliver around 36,000 affordable homes by 2030. Ministers say the programme wil help provide safe and secure homes for up to 24,000 children.  

The government say progress is already underway, with 2,700 families with children moved into permanent homes since the emergency was declared last year.  

The plan also commits to introducing Awaab’s Law in Scotland by March 2026, requiring landlords to fix dangerous problems such as damp and mould within set timeframes.  

Ms McAllan said: 

“Tackling the housing emergency will be a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve the Scottish Government’s key priority of eradicating child poverty. I am determined this action plan will deliver positive and lasting change. 

“At the heart of my mission is ensuring children are not spending time in unsuitable accommodation or long periods in temporary accommodation; that the housing needs of vulnerable communities are met and that we create the optimum conditions for confidence and investment in Scotland’s housing sector. 

"Our efforts so far since declaring a housing emergency have seen 2,700 families with children into a permanent home, up to December 2024. Our action plan will see tens of thousands more families have a place they can call home. 

“Since I took up the role of Cabinet Secretary I have listened to calls from the sector for multi-year funding to give housebuilders more long-term certainty. Today I have committed to investing up to £4.9 billion in affordable homes over the next four years. This long-term certainty and increase in funding will support delivery of around 36,000 affordable homes and provide up to 24,000 children with a warm, safe home. 

“We cannot tackle this emergency alone though and I need everyone from across the private and public sector to pull together and deliver this plan to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to a safe, warm and affordable home.”